Credit Card Debt
If you’re in credit card debt, but your friend (who is not in credit card debt) is going on frequent shopping sprees, does that mean you should join in?
The New Car Syndrome
Everyone around you has a new car except you. None of these people follow the 1/10 rule, either. Their car is likely half, more, or close to half of their annual income, which is a common financial blunder. Moreover, these people have negative net worths.
Should you get a new car and invest in a depreciating liability—even though it doesn’t align with your trajectory?
Health
I’ve been in the gym for two decades and maintain an overall healthy diet.
One week I decided to eat a burger seven days in a row. Let’s say you’re working on losing weight and living a healthier lifestyle.
Should you join my burger escapades?
Social Life
Your friends don’t have much life outside their social life. The opportunities to hang out are endless and loads of fun.
You have a goal, though. The goal can’t work on itself without you there.
What do you do?
No Matter Where You Are In Life, Distractions Are Present
It seems that whenever we have a goal, someone or people around us will challenge us—directly or indirectly—to deviate from our goals.
What everyone else (the average person) is doing looks, feels, and tastes better than our tedious goals.
Stop yourself right there, though.
You’re being easily influenced.
People that are easily influenced frequently lose sight of their goals and follow paths set by others. Their lives are never their own; they’re simply playing follow the leader. If you can never see the value in completing a goal, you likely will never reach the goals you set.
If you don’t ruthlessly attack your goals, you will ruthlessly fail.
Deviation Is The Enemy Of Progress
You will deviate from your purpose if you don’t wear the blinders and stay on course.
Don’t allow yourself to be weak-minded and easily deterred by the efforts of people with average mindsets.
Deviation is one of the primary causes of failure.
And deviation comes in many forms:
I need to work out, but my gym partner isn’t working out today, so I won’t either.
I need to read, but my roommate just turned on our favorite show; I will join in.
I need to eat cleaner, but I’m getting free lunch at my favorite spot (which doesn’t offer any healthy choices). There’s no way I can pass up a free meal.
I know a divorce/separation/breakup would be prudent, but none of my friends are leaving their toxic partners.
I know I should stop overspending, but the minimum payments are manageable.
I need to focus on my goals, but all my friends are going out and having fun. I don’t want to miss out or lose my “friends.”
All these bullshit excuses will keep you in shitty circumstances.
Giving in and giving up usually feels better than restraint.
People with differing goals will always surround you. Remove yourself from your usual surroundings if you can’t handle the temptation.
If you can handle the temptation, stay the course to prevent deviation from fulfilling your destiny.
Thank You For Reading. Do something that makes you smile today.