In our busy consumer and capitalist modern day lives, it’s easy to be coaxed into believing bigger is better.
Business leaders set Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAG's) for their organisations. Motivational speakers preach “Aim for the stars, because if you miss at least you’ll land on the moon”, whilst talented athletes train for years with their hopes set on Olympic Gold.
We're constantly striving for more; more money, more experiences, more accolades and attention. Whilst forgetting or unaware of how much is really enough.
Often we buy into the misbelief that we’re less than others based on others having more.
Which by the way is a foundational globally successful strategy used by advertisers to push their products.
Goals “caveat emptor”
I drank all the goal setting cool-aid I could drink throughout my narcissistic youth and adult years.
However soon after experiencing my "goal high", I was soon on the chase for another "goal high" to replace the last, and with each new goal, came more risk…
With the clarity of hindsight I now appreciate this was wrong as it developed into an inner personal abusive relationship, i.e. I never felt good enough, overly critical of myself, gave ultimatums and isolated myself. At the same time my income was sky rocketing and outwardly I was a “success” however I was stuck on this goal/image treadmill that never let up!
I will save you from the pity party that unfolded, however the experience took me through "the most" personally challenging, grounding and awakening chapters of my life. Then slowly I began to embrace life again, free from burdens, and on a journey of experiencing life to its fullest and at the same time ever renewing inner peace.
Better than aiming for the stars. I started to mine acres of diamonds and gold in my back yard and I discovered some real beauties!
One such diamond came in the form of a business in Cairns. Another in the form of a property purchase at 40% of the original price and most recently and precious discovery of “Enough”, or as I like to call it my "Golden Panda".
How much is enough is as different as we are unique, however knowing what it looks like and finding it is transformational.
For me discovering my “enough” has filled the inner void of not feeling good enough which I now appreciate I was over compensating and masking with BHAG and “look at me” successes.
Discovering my “enough” has freed me from crippling debt, useless must haves and superficial relationships. Most importantly it has allowed me to experience not only financial freedom but psychological freedom as well.
And here’s the kicker about “enough”, it nurtures oneself to become more genuine and authentic, which is actually an attractive and rare quality in our fast paced modern world. It has created an environment that Simply being ME, is my point of difference.
Moving forward I am motivated to uniquely add more value to others, not because I need them to buy (because I already have enough) but because it’s the right thing to do.
Final thoughts
-
Goals are not in themselves bad however until you achieve them you will experience a self-imprisonment of not measuring up to your own expectations.
-
Having no goals is equally as treacherous as I believe we all have a creative spirit within us egger to express itself in our unique way.
-
Our life experiences are coloured by what our thoughts are. Choose your own adventure carefully!
-
Be kind to yourself, you are important, unique and the winning sperm that won the race of a lifetime!
If you are stuck in a funk or you’re lost in a cloud of complexity feel free to contact me. Most often in life we just need someone to talk things through and to lighten our load a little.
This post was written by Me, as such they are my personal views and not financial or general advice.
You should always seek independent financial advice when it comes to choices about your personal finances. This is one area of your life where it’s worth paying for it to be done ri