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FINANCIAL FREEDOM
'I know but one freedom and that is the freedom of the mind.'
Antoine de Saint-Exupery quotes
Of all the newsletters I have written, only one created a bigger response
than last month's newsletter about 'Making Friends with your Finances' -
the other was 'Keeping the Love Alive'.
Whilst it didn't really come as a surprise that so many of us feel the
same way about money, I learned something else significant last month -
something that people further down the path of 'financial awareness'
already know. That there is enormous freedom in taking control of your
finances. It might seem a contradiction to say that adhering to a budget
(which is effectively restricting your spending) can create a sense of
freedom, but ironically, that's exactly what it does.
The freedom stems from the peace of mind you feel when there is
no longer resistance or a struggle...where there is no longer guilt and
quite simply, where you feel that you have your finances 'under control'.
'Financial freedom' is a term commonly used by people who are looking to
have enough money invested so that they don't have to work each day to
earn an income. Whilst I agree with this definition, financial freedom
means something slightly different for me.
Certainly it means not having to worry about where your next dollar is
coming from and knowing that you have enough money to cover your expenses.
But once these concerns are out of the way, I believe financial freedom is
more about being free from worry about money. Feeling a sense of control
about spending; knowing that some of your income is saved; knowing your
worth and feeling comfortable to charge accordingly; pursuing a career
that uses your strengths so that you have job satisfaction as well as an
income - all of these things are elements of what I believe to be
financial freedom.
Last
month I had another insight into financial freedom that was somewhat of a
surprise to me - how beautifully the 'universe' (if that's what we want to
call it) is willing to support me in my mission to make peace with my
finances. Suddenly I came across money in unexpected places; I was
approached by many clients wanting my services and I had several
experiences where the price of something I was purchasing was suddenly and
unexpectedly reduced!
Taking small steps towards financial control has meant taking a
big step towards financial freedom for me. I have no doubt it will be the
same for you.
Creating your own financial freedom
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If
you haven't already done so...get your spending under control. A budget
doesn't need to be as detailed as the one included in last month's
newsletter. Create your own and make it really simple if you think that
will work for you.
·
Understand what financial freedom means to you. If your goal is to invest
enough money never to have to work again, contact a financial advisor to
start creating some 'big picture' plans.
·
If
you are unhappy in your current job or feel that you are not valued, write
up the elements of your 'ideal job' and think about how you can bring some
of those elements to life.
·
Learn
about your personal strengths (visit
www.authentichappiness.org and take the free VIA
Signature Strengths survey) and think about 'remodelling' your role so
that you use your highest strength in your work.
·
Learn
how to meditate - it is the one stress management tool that works like
magic on taking away your worries!
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