I recently made a money mistake (more on that later). It wasn’t huge, but I allowed myself to wallow in self-pity and flagellation for a hot minute. Then I remembered some advice I had read recently that I hadn’t yet followed, and I decided now is the time. It was a “productivity hack” and entailed focusing on what you had already successfully accomplished rather than what you had left to do or what you had done wrong.
The premise is simple – by always focusing on your To Do’s, you are never feeling fulfilled and happy and proud of all you have already completed. By always focusing on the future, and what is still to be done, you never take the time to reflect on the past, or pat yourself on the back for what you have accomplished.
Focusing on the future list of goals, or regretting past mistakes, is my go-to tendency. I have an automatic habit of highlighting the one negative thing in a sea of positives. I’m really working to change that internal voice into a more gentler, encouraging version.
So without further ado, and simply to make myself feel better, I bring you a list of my money accomplishments over the past ten years (#humblebrag):
- Created a workable monthly budget – together! On paper!
- Read MANY blogs/books on finances
- Cut up / paid off all credit cards
- Paid off $40k in debt – car loans, student loans, etc.
- Paid off $140k mortgage – became completely Debt-Free!
- Saved 6 months cash emergency fund
- Saved $5k to replace current car when needed
- Save and pay cash for every vacation and other variable expenses
- Create Christmas budget and plan in advance to make homemade gifts each year
- Paid cash for amazing wedding/ honeymoon
- Reversed crazy negative net worth to crazy positive net worth!
- Reduced expenses to live on less than half of our income
- Max out IRAs every year
- Max out my 401k too!
- Purchased term life insurance
- Created wills and Power of Attorneys
- Kept good stable job for 5+ years
- Purchased reliable used car on Craigslist for dirt cheap
- Canceled cable! Switched to $15/month internet and $10/month Netflix
- Canceled crazy expensive Verizon and switched to Republic Wireless
- Canceled all magazine subscriptions and gym membership
- Canceled crazy expensive car insurance and switched to Progressive
- Made decision to stay debt-free, never loan money, never co-sign etc.
- Began giving a tenth of our income to church community!
Sometimes by focusing on how far we’ve already come, we can find more motivation to keep going. What’s on your list of “Done” money items? I bet it’s longer than you think!
