Boy, the article that I wrote yesterday certainly created a bit of a stir.
What created all the fuss?
It wasn't so much the idea of making a decision to become rich, most folks were OK with that.
It was… the idea of making it your #1 priority.
Some folks emailed me back with, “What about health and family? Aren't they more important than making money?”
…Other folks weren't as kind and questioned whether I was a greedy and selfish S.O.B.
It's all cool from my end, that's what you get when you open up a discussion about money… Lots of difference opinions.
So what about health and family? How does that fit in to this whole wealth creation game?
Here's how…
When I said to you that you should make money your #1 priority, I didn't mean for the rest of your life. But to get the big financial freedom rocket off the ground, you're going to have to put lots of effort in up front and then it just will take an energy of its own.
Here's a story that best illustrates what I'm talking about.
Eight years ago, at the tender age of 36, I retired from semi-professional sport in Australia. I was fit, strong and a body fat of about 14%. But, I was broke.
You see, what I was doing was making sport my #1 priority. In a weird kind of way, I didn't want to focus on anything else because I felt that I would have to sacrifice a little bit of my sporting dreams if I changed my focus.
No regrets. I had a great career and loved being in the zone… Those who have played sport understand this.
Let me tell you what I learnt from being in the zone. It's an incredible place where I learnt how to live in the moment. You see, when you're in the zone, the problems of the past and the challenges of the future are forgotten about.
You truly are living the moment.
I've taken those lessons in to my investment and business life with great success…
But here's the thing. Playing sport into your adult years and not being a highly-paid professional is what I call salary-sacrificing.
What I mean by that is that subconsciously you don't allow growth in other areas to develop because it takes away from the feelings, emotions and the endorphin kick you get out of playing sport.
So what's all the got to do with you?
Hey, if you can't relate to the sporting metaphor, that's cool. But I know of people who will not go out to an educational event in the evening because they might miss their favourite TV show.
That's… Salary sacrifice.
…Or they wont give up one day of their weekend to go to a seminar or educational event because that's the only time they can relax.
Again, that's salary sacrifice.
So back to my point about health. Let's not be ridiculous about it. If you're incredibly healthy, eat well, train every day and you can't pay the phone bill at the end of the month, you're not going to be happy. Right?
Sure, if you've got millions of dollars and you've allowed your health to suffer, that's not an ideal situation either.
Which one would you prefer though?
I know which one I'd choose, fit AND wealthy.
Yes, you CAN have it all.
What about family?
When I was broke eight years ago, I had two young children and my wife was pregnant with a third. What were were facing was three infants all under the age of three and a half.
What was I to do?
Focus on bringing up the kids, helping my wife and struggling financially, week to week, month to month?
…Or go out and take massive action to change my financial circumstances?
What's interesting here is that being in a position of being a father of three young children and not having any money was the catalyst for me to make the changed required to take the action that was necessary.
So it was because of family that got me off my bum and in to action.
You might argue that family was my #1 priority. Think of it like this… Family was the cause, making money was the effect.
Fast-forward to today. Myself and my wife live an incredibly balanced life. If I want a personal trainer for 5 days a week, which would cost about $300-$400, no problem.
If I want a full-time cook, cooking evening meals for let's say 5 days a week, cost about $250, no problem.
If I want to take my kids to school in the morning, pick them up in the afternoon, be at all their sporting events, or take them on a holiday overseas, basically have the option of being there for them… No problem!
That's what living in the zone means. Living life on your terms and ultimate freedom is all about.
I encourage you to follow a similar path and sooner rather than later, you too can live the ultimate freedom of choice.
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