What to do as we enter the next phase

Do you know anyone who collects watches? 
 
Over the years, I’ve met a few folks that truly love watches. Many collectors are fascinated by the intricate mechanics of timepieces. For others, their love affair started with a watch passed down through the generations of their family. 
 
While I may not adore wrist fashion as much as collectors, even I still have my first watch. Yup, it’s the one where Mickey Mouse’s big white gloves helped me learn how to tell time…
 
One of the fanciest watches I’ve ever seen had an elaborate compass on the face of it. If you’re an outdoor adventurer or explorer, you know that the compass is one of the most critical tools you can have. Whether you’re navigating in the woods or on the water, your compass indicates your direction and serves as your guide. 
 
As we navigate these uncertain and challenging times, wouldn’t it be nice if we had a compass?
 
Guess what? You do. 
 
Inside that mind and body of yours, you know how you feel, and you know how you want to feel. You know what’s truly important to you and for your family. You can feel it in your bones. 
 
Those core, inner desires sit at the center of your personal compass. 
 
When it comes to making financial decisions, how do you want to feel? Right now, many of us are taking a closer look at our expenses and spending habits. When you look at your money outflows, how do you feel about your purchases?
 
By acknowledging your desired feelings in relation to your finances, you will increase your awareness of what is motivating your money-related decisions. This moment of pause can be an enlightening experience. 
 
For example, you tell a friend that you want to earn $150,000 next year or that you want to purchase a vacation home by a certain age. Then you pause and ask yourself why you want those very specific things……and you realize that what you’re really seeking is independence, achievement and freedom…plus, you kinda just want to impress your friend.
 
Well, okay then!
 
This kind of self-awareness is important to check your compass.
 
By checking your behaviors against your compass, you may realize that the focus of your time, energy and money has been put towards things that are not aligned to what really matters to you.  And as Danielle LaPorte, author of The Desire Map says, “soul-less goals make for a lot of burn out.”
 
Perhaps even more important is that without really knowing how you want to feel in relation to your financial journey or your financial goals, you may be missing out on the motivation that can make your dreams a reality. When you start imagining what it will feel like once you’re vacationing in your new beach house sipping piña coladas watching the sunset, you may experience a turbo boost to your savings habits! 
 
I hope you’re ready to shine a spotlight on your compass!
 
Start by reviewing your expenses and asking if they’re still aligned to what’s important to you. As we come out of quarantine, you may realize you were spending money on things a few months ago that no longer are important to you. Similarly, you may have realized that you want to put money toward new things that you’ve found really brighten up your life…flowers anyone??
 
Times have changed and a calibration may be in order.
 
When you check your compass, get ready to curb those pesky feelings of indecision and regret. With an instrument that’s set to guide you toward your desires, you’ll be fueled up and ready to go! 
 
Talk about an energy boost!