Stephen Covey writes about this very point in his timeless classic The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. In fact, he believed in this concept so much he made it Habit Number Two. Beginning with the end in mind helps you clearly define your Why. This helps you understand and outline the choices and sacrifices you may need to make to work toward your End.
Because the truth is, working on any goal is just that—hard work. Financial Freedom won’t be instant. But if you understand where you’re going, and why you’re heading that direction in the first place, your effort will feel worthwhile.
Destination
By beginning with the end in mind, you set yourself up to win and achieve Financial Freedom. As Covey states in his book, “If your ladder is not leaning against the right wall, every step you take get you to the wrong place faster.” Every step you take should lead you closer to your ultimate goal to stop trading your time for money. Financially Fit Bootcamp is built on this principle. Buying your time back by Paying Yourself First and building your Freedom Generator is what makes you Financially Free.
But the road to Financial Freedom often means work over a length of time. Ensure your destination is big enough and exciting enough to keep you focused for the long haul.
Now is the time to develop a strong vision of the life you desire to help sustain you when times get tough.
Vision
Take a moment to imagine what your destination will look like. Be as detailed as possible. How will your life be different when you stop trading time for money? Why do you want to accomplish this?
Now is the time to develop a strong vision of the life you desire to help sustain you when times get tough. Depending on how you lay out your Money Planner, you’ll probably be on your journey to Financial Freedom for several years. Don’t let this discourage you.
Developing a vision is what Covey calls “The ability to envision in your mind what you cannot see with your eyes.” You know the end point. Now is the time to use this direction, combined with Vision, to make real strides towards the goal.
Climbing a ladder is sometimes hard work, but you know the ultimate destination will be worth it.
Execution
All of the planning in the world is meaningless unless you’re willing to do the work. You’ve established a direction to go in and a vision for your ultimate destination, but how will you get there What are you willing to give up or start doing to stop trading your time for money? What steps can you take today to set yourself up to win?
In Financially Fit Bootcamp, we encourage students to automate their finances as much as possible. When you make saving automatic, the $100 a month transfer into a Pay Yourself First Account happens no matter what.
Automating your transfers is just one way to take concrete action to turn your Vision into a reality. Each month, you’re taking small steps up the ladder towards Financial Freedom. Climbing a ladder is sometimes hard work, but you know the ultimate destination will be worth it.
Everything will fall into place when you begin with the end in mind.
Financial Freedom
True Freedom is more than just Financial Freedom. It’s the Freedom to spend your time on what matters most to you. The Freedom to not be restricted by regular working hours and vacation days at your job.
That’s the End that we at Mindshift.money want for all of our members. How drastically different will the world be when everyone embraces this concept? When we all reject the idea that Financial Freedom is just for the chosen few?
When you begin your financial journey with the end in mind, you reaffirm what you most value most. Your values are what ultimately guide the choices that lead you to success. When you choose your Destination, you create your Vision and decide what steps to take to Execute your plan.
Everything will fall into place when you begin with the end in mind.
Dr. Tony is the co-founder of MindShift.money and the best-selling author of three books on personal and business finances. Having achieved Financial Freedom at 27, Dr. Tony believes that through Financially Fit Bootcamp and Cash Flow Cure everyone can get there. He has made it his life’s mission to help others live a life where their money works for them—not the other way around.