Goodbye Television!
There are two resources that you need for anything you want to do in life: time and money. Time and money are often mutually exclusive. When we have a job we have money but not much free time. When we are unemployed we have lots of free time but little money. Time and money are often the key constraints people see as holding them back from the lives they want.
I want to start a business, but I don’t have time and/or money plus [add your favorite excuses here].
I want to travel, but…
I want to lose weight, but…
I want to write a book, but…
I want to have my own blog, but …
Here are some secrets to get more money and time now.
Get More Money NOW!
If you want more money, spend less. Curtail your consumption and you will have more savings guaranteed. This extra savings is not taxed and you will not have to work more for it so it will not cost any extra time. You are not your possessions. You are what you do. Are you writing everyday? Then you are an author. Are you playing the piano everyday? Then you are a musician. Be a doer not a shopper and you will have extra money and time to pursue your goals. Live with less. Downsize your house. Don’t upgrade your car, furniture, electronics, or appliances until it is absolutely necessary. Don’t buy designer bags, shoes and clothes. Only buy durable but relatively inexpensive belongings that you really need. Eat healthy food at home more often. Assuming an interest rate of 3%, saving an extra $250 per month is equivalent to having $100,000 in government bonds. ($100,000 X %3.0 = $3,000 per year or $250 per month)
Get More Time NOW!
If you want more time, stop watching TV. The average American watches about 28 hours per week of TV. There are 168 hours in a week. How does the typical person spend their week?
56 hours: Sleep
40 hours: Work
10 hours: Commuting to work
12 hours: Eating and food preparation, shopping, etc.
10 hours: Household chores
128 hours TOTAL
168 hours per week minus 128 hours of occupied time leaves 40 hours a week for exercise, friends, family, hobbies and time to work on personal goals or dreams. If you are watching 28 hours of TV a week, then you are spending about 70% of your free time in front of a box with your brain turned off. Sell your TV and cancel your cable subscription. You will save money and likely double the amount of time you can devote to the important things in life.
Low cost computers and Internet access have put the power of creative expression in the hands of the masses. Any one can start a blog, write a book, publish their photographs and music or sell their services online. Lack of money or time are not the problem. It is an issue of priorities. Do you value your flat screen TV more than saving money to start you own business? Do you value re-runs on TV more than quality time with your family and friends.
It is not necessary to quit your job to create the life you want. You can create more time and money just by focusing on the priorities in your life. Focus on the ONE, the one thing that will have the greatest impact in your life. In fact, quitting your job will likely be detrimental. You will be preoccupied about where and when money is going to come in that you will not be focused on doing what you know you need to do. If you can’t make the time to pursue your dreams and build the life you want now, quitting your job is just going to give you a lot more free time to waste vegging out in front of the TV, browsing the Internet or drinking beer in the backyard. You have the time and money now if you decide to cut out the slack in your life and focus on what is important.
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