It is becoming more and more common to look for deeper meanings before starting to do something. Even in finances.
Why are you doing it? – Because I want to make amount X.
And why do you want to make amount X? – To travel the world, to help my kids, etc.
Why do you want to travel the world? – …
Back in the day I was asking myself if this isn’t kinda nonsense, unnecessary, because you already have your “goal” – so why this extra work of digging deeper?
The truth is though that goals aren’t emotional, but we human beings are. We make (too many?) decisions emotionally – and then (try) to support them rationally.
It basically means you set up the emotional goal first which is then driving the rational goal. Unlike the question about the chicken and the egg, you could say that emotions come first, execution second.
The Alternative
However, if you are a subscriber of my e-mail list, you are already familiar with my opinion about goals (which I explain in my 5-day welcome series).
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I prefer to avoid the term “goal” and instead use the word “Pole Star” as a metaphor, a compass, if you will, that guides you in the direction you are aiming. Having a Pole Star is mandatory. Everyone is involved in some way with their personal environment and the society in which they live. From there, you steer your ship and set the direction – either continuing in the familiar waters of your surroundings or away from them.
Although both actions are similar (the way to achieve a goal and the way to drive towards your Pole Star), the latter is not attached to emotions. It looks more like being “in the flow”, while emotional goals driving the action seem to be more powerful because the power of determination unfolds more strongly. The released energy is greater.
Emotions Shouldn’t Drive The Action
And this seems to be the dilemma: As often discussed already on this blog, emotions and finances are two things that should be kept separate.
So what do I do if I want to become “financially free”? The question is whether it’s possible to head for my Pole Star, doing my thing, and be successful (and have the drive) without having an emotional attachment.
And the answer is yes, of course it is possible!
Emotions are always a sign that you are basically not OK with something (or the opposite: too OK with something).
Therefore, answers to emotional questions (the “Why” again) are never to be found outside but inside. It is a fallacy to assume that once you reach your “goal” (which you made up based on an emotion) you will be “fine”.
You Are Already Good To Go
You really don’t need emotions driving your actions. If you just take action, you are already fine.
The purpose of defining your “Why” (why you want to travel the world, etc.) is to try to push some buttons which otherwise wouldn’t have been pushed to get you started.
But if you have already defined your direction in life, your Pole Star”, you literally can leave those buttons alone. Because once emotions are released, you also have to make sure that they don’t get out of hand when you act.
PS: Want to learn how emotions AND the mind can trick you when making financial decisions? Check out my PDF about the „Wanting Mind“ in my first Financial PRIME Talks series.
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