I'm just a wanna-be --- Practical Ideas on changing everyday life?

Question

So I've realized that I am one of "those people".

Lazy.

Motivated but I don't follow through. Disorganized, so my life is full of crises that show up due to my poor planning. Self-important, so I have a hard time delegating. blah blah blah, the list goes on.

I sit around, read the internet, dream big things....AND NEVER DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

I have a wife and a young baby, a blue-collar hourly job that exhausts me every day, and live paycheck to paycheck.I have the "POTENTIAL" to do huge things.... but I don't. I am determined to change this.

Anyone have any practical (non-philosophical) ideas on successful ways to make small, incremental changes to create a pattern of success-inducing behavior?

I have thought, read, listened, dreamed, been tutorial'ed to death over the past two years, my mindset is that of a wealthy person but my actions and habits are those of a poor person.

I have made a commitment to make small, everyday corrections to my behaviors to turn them into habits that will help me become financially free (passive income from real estate and/or business).

I am just starting to take 10 minutes at the beginning and end of each day to keep track of our personal finances, and to make sure that I am thinking "REAL ESTATE" at the beginning of every day, and hopefully throughout each day.

Anyone have other ideas on small, repeatable, effective actions that I can gradually add on a daily basis to change my daily habits and actions? I know it will take time, but hopefully this will be the first post of a long success story. The way to change my life is 5 minutes at a time.

Many thanks in advance,

Scott

Isaac Guzman · Answer

I was in a similar position as yourself not too long ago. Here's my brief input:

It seems that you don't have a big issue with letting yourself down when you fail to follow through. That being said, if there is someone else who is depending on your consistency (if only a weekly update call) you will be more eager to not disappoint. Make a personal connection with someone who will hold you accountable.

Don't make any changes for one week. During this week write meticulous notes on all your activities. Be aggressive and REALLY write them down (shoot, even start a blog about it on BP so we can hold you accountable). By the end of the week you are going to notice there are activities in your day that are completely worthless. Take an honest evaluation of where and when you waste the most time. Then, replace those worthless items with what @Rob L. and @Ali Boone advised.

I saw this time and time again when I ran a gym. People jump all in and push other important items aside. Eventually it will catch up and take you out. That is why it is important to first identify the trash we fill our days with and ATTACK those. Aggression is generally looked down upon nowadays, but being aggressive and ruthless with your time management is a must, at least to get you moving.

Lastly, keep us posted.

Ali Boone · Answer

Ah! I love your post!

The two biggest things I recommend:

1. Set small goals. Don't set huge ones or you really won't get around to them. Do small ones, one by one, and the more of those you accomplish, the more addicted to accomplishing goals you will get, and soon your goals will get bigger and bigger.

2. Read tons of books. Look for the authors who offer practical advice on how to convert your habits from those of a poor person to those of a wealthy person. Robert Kiyosaki is pretty much the go-to man on that topic, but in addition to his books, check out The Success Principles by Jack Canfield. I think that book should be considered the bible for getting things done in a big way. Absolutely amazing. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Kiyosaki though is the starter book for money-specific info for sure. Those two books alone will fling you into knowing what you want to know.

Good luck!

Jeff S. · Answer

Scott Nigloschy there are lots of dreamers on here and they are reading and buying books and dreaming and getting motivated and posting on BP and doing more dreaming. The thing is this is all very comfortable

Think about the difference between what work feels like and what dreaming feels like and force yourself to become uncomfortable. When you are working and feeling uncomfortable realize this is what success feels like. Get momentum and keep going.

Not everybody is cut-out to be self motivated. It is possible you are the type that needs a boss. If this is the case get a second job.

Rob L. · Answer

Hey @Scott N , I would argue that you should take large steps instead of small ones each day. From reading your post I can tell you want to become financially free. I would make a simple goal. If you want to be financially free then figure out what you need to do to get there. Lets say for now its to buy your first rental property.

Everyday do one thing thing that will put you on the road to getting there. Only one action item that you need to accomplish to get to your goal of buying your first rental property. I think by trying to change your habits by little steps your actually making it harder for yourself.

The trick is to dream big and then hack away at your goal one day at a time.

David Padilla · Answer

Welcome to the site Scott Nigloschy . I will be debt free within a couple of months!

Warren Buffett has a great way to prioritize your goals. http://www.businessinsider.com/warren-buffett-prod...

Sam McPeek · Answer

Scott Nigloschy You asked for practical steps towards your goals, and I have felt like you in the past. The best thing my wife and I did for ourselves was to take the Financial Peace University course from the Dave Ramsey group. It really helped us to put our personal finances in good order, and taught us good habits as far as budgeting and spending. Doing a zero based monthly budget and an allocated spending plan (& using cash instead of plastic) helped us to look at our spending objectively and start chipping away at lowering our expenses. In the last 3 months we have reduced our monthly expenses by over $600, just because we were objectively making better choices each month.

I know that Ramsey's advice on investing is not popular on sites like BP...but it's hard to argue with his take on personal finance, budgeting and using cash instead of plastic. At less than $100 for the class, it's a great value. Take the class and put into practice the steps, and that will give you great strides in controlling your money instead of letting it control you!

And not to sound to philisophical...but there is something magical that happens with your psyche when you make steps towards controlling your money. Just doing that will change your outlook on creating 'rich' habits.

Dmitriy Fomichenko · Answer

Welcome to BP community Scott Nigloschy  It is a great place to meet new friends and learn about various aspects of real estate and more. Here are a few recommendations for you:

Find and connect with other BP members that are in your area: http://www.biggerpockets.com/meet

Set up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you: http://www.biggerpockets.com/alerts

Read Beginner’s Guide: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing

Check out BP Podcasts: http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/category/podcast/

Wishing you the best!

Ryan Dossey · Answer

I think that what @Isaac Guzman said is absolutely huge. Get accountable. If you know that you have that call coming on Friday you will want to have good news for it. While I think reading books and all of that is great... I think you need to try something. Have you looked for a local REI club to join? Obviously this site is a fantastic resource as well.

Taylor Chiu · Answer

@Scott N undefined

A great way to hold yourself accountable is to get a partner/mentor. While you'll have to split the profits 50/50, at least you'll be on the move, instead of sitting on the sidelines. Good luck!

Charlotte H. · Answer

Scott Nigloschy

Wow. I feel like I could've written your EXACT post. This is how I feel right now. Let me know if you find something that works. Thanks!

I'm just a wanna-be --- Practical Ideas on changing everyday life?

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