Are we really meant for a Cheeseburger life?

In this New Year, I have decided that I need a new response and tactic in responding to others.

It seems that when certain people hear about something that I have accomplished that was successful, the response is “Gosh, I wish I could get there” or “I wish I could do that!”

Previous to this year, I went through a few experiences that leveled my emotionally, physically and financially states. But, during the process, I never complained or envied anybody. I simply looked for the resources around me, grabbed my bootstraps, gritted my teeth and made a plan to reduce the pain and find a way through it.

It wasn’t easy and took a fair amount of patients, but each day was an orchestrated plan to get to the following one. Each week was a measure of desired improvements and course correction so that the goal would always be in site.

I enjoy the Native American culture a great deal and appreciate the concept of “Forward Walking”.

This is more a measure for forgiveness of others, but in the end, isn’t that simply a set of goals as well?

The Natives believe that the only way to truly move toward somebody or something is to face it or them and walk (with your face looking at it or them) toward them until you reach your destination.

Through this process, I did find some assistance in making many of my goals tactile in nature. That is, I made it a point to find pictures and images of what I desired and focus on that. In some cases, I even sought out my goal item or place, and went and touched it. The thought being that if I could see it, touch it and feel it, it became very real to me and my heart knew it to be possible.

This was my process and for me, it worked. I didn’t let small things get in my way and chose to live very close to the belt to achieve it. At one point, I even took a second job at night and put in 95 hours a week for several months to help achieve this.

Again, it was my own bootstraps that I was pulling at.

Admittedly, I have pulled out a nose dive and righted my course in a very short amount of time.

For example, I thought my credit was ruined but chose not to believe this or let it stop my forward facing efforts. Now, it just at 6 months, I have 50k in unsecured credit at low interest rates, with points, with cash back offers, etc. It was simply a matter of making continuous efforts and patients.

None of this is a secret. It didn’t happen by itself. Nobody did it for me. I simply forward faced the goal, and kept walking until I got there.

Also, there is something to be said for the confidence that comes when each of these personal goals was reached. There is a sense of satisfaction that comes knowing that I have that much credit in my wallet.

I don’t say any of this do garner admiration, but rather to show a path.

I grow weary of those around me who say “I wish I could do that” or “I wish I could fix my credit”.

They can! You can! It just takes discipline and patients.

The internet is replete with information about how to make this happen. While, yes, some of the skills I already had, it didn’t stop me from reviewing the information to ensure that I was doing it right.

The simple fact of the matter is that there are a lot of things in our lives that we can accomplish if we simply start a path toward that goal.

Want to be thinner. Simple, stop drinking soda and eating sugar and work out a little every day.

Want to be able to retire. Stop eating out or spending money on those things that have no worth and put it aside instead.

Anything can be accomplished with patients, time and discipline.

JK Rollins was a mother on welfare, but with patients, time and discipline she made her dream come true.

Shaq didn’t know how to retain wealth so he went back to school and earned an MBA.

These are not aliens, they are just like the rest of us. These people just use their time more wisely.

They changed their attitudes about simple things and made life bend to their will.

A simple thought in example.

When I look at something that I desire to purchase, I calculate how many hours of my life that I will trade to have that thing.

Dinner out = one hour

New car = 1,000 hours

Used car = 500 hours

I get how simplistic this sounds, but it is a way to put a new light on old attitudes.

Can amazing things be done? YES!!!!

So what do you say to those around you who choose to talk about the “I wish” and not live in the “I will”?

I still don’t know. I try to guide them when I can or encourage, but it is tiring to see them continue in the same direction unchanged with the continual lip service.

I guess for this coming year, I will start a motivational group of individuals that desire more from life. I will invite the lip service crowd along for the ride and hope that they will strive for more than a cheeseburger life.

My favorite line in any book is at the end of the “Count of Monte Cristo”. When asked what they can do, the hero responded. “All we can do is wait and hope”.