“Believe in More: Your Potential Is Greater Than You Imagine”
Hey there, I’ve recently realized that life has much more to offer than I used to think. Lately, life seems to be cruising on autopilot, not just about money matters, but pretty much everything seems stuck.
But hey, being stagnant is still better than moving backwards! So, I thought of tackling a tangible issue that was bothering me – my New Year’s resolution to lose 15 pounds that I had lost track of.
Instead of lamenting over my unmet goals and tighter jeans, I decided to act. I dusted off my swimsuit and went straight to the gym after a long hiatus.
Unsurprisingly, the gym was packed, especially the swimming pool, filled with people of all ages, making me reconsider my decision. But this time, I didn’t turn back like before because I arrived earlier and decided to buy some time relaxing in the hot tub, hoping for the crowd to thin out.
Did it work? Absolutely.
Lesson #1: Patience: This virtue applies to many facets of life, including our personal financial goals. Sometimes, it’s essential to enjoy our current circumstances while we wait for the right time to make a big move.
With lesser crowd now, I channeled my focus on swimming – no lazy lounging around but real tough swimming. I committed myself to swim at least 500m (20 laps) before taking a break, which was a considerable challenge for me.
Lesson #2: Take Action: If you want to attain a goal, say financial, and you lack $200, what should you do? Cut back expenses, spend less on outings, or push yourself harder. The key is to commit to your goal and make it happen no matter what.
One of my favorite things about swimming is the moments of clarity and zen I experience. I still remember doing most of my Master’s thesis while swimming, as it helped me clear my mind and formulate new ideas.
Reminiscing about my grad school days, I recall having this beautiful Olympic-standard pool, where I began my swimming journey. Initially, completing a 25m lap was a daunting task, and I often stopped midway to catch my breath.
But then, one day, during a swimming meet, the pool was rearranged from the regular 15 lanes of 25m each to 8 lanes of 50m each. Frankly, the thought of swimming double the length unnerved me. But I decided to try. Guess what? I did swim the entire 50m without stopping. Later on, I found the 50m laps to actually be more enjoyable.
Lesson #3: Trust Your Potential: This lesson applies to many aspects of life, even financial. You can always strive harder, rise earlier, improve productivity, or save more. It’s about identifying your limitations and figuring out how to overcome them.
So, remember to take small steps, enjoy the journey, and never stop finding ways to break past your hindrances. You can do more than you think you can.