Several years ago I read a great book called “Rich Dad Poor Dad” and I had what I can only describe as an epiphany!
I suddenly realised that I had to change my mindset from one of working for a living in a job that I no longer enjoyed, to one of educating myself about investing and to start to create financial freedom for myself and my family.
I realised that I had been drifting through life but not really going anywhere.
My good life was getting in the way of a GREAT life!
I was totally in MY COMFORT ZONE!
So what is the comfort zone?
My comfort zone was a life of mediocrity!
I was just living an average comfortable life.
I was earning pretty good money, I had a house and some savings, but I had some bad debt and I was a long way off where I needed to be financially.
I could see that if I kept going the way that I was I would have to keep working in this job I pretty much hated for another twenty or thirty years, and even then I didn’t know if I would have enough to retire comfortably.
But in my mind I was doing “okay”
Life was good, or so I thought, but I wasn’t stretching myself or growing.
I had to ask myself was I really happy?
I certainly wasn’t where I thought I should of been financially!
I realised then that I was letting my good life get in the way of having a great one.
I was living in THE COMFORT ZONE!
So how did I escape the comfort zone?
First I realised that I could no longer go on the way that I was and that I wanted to live a great life and change my financial situation.
So I followed these five-steps.
- Decide – The number one thing that I did was make the decision that I would change my life and financial situation. I made a commitment to myself that I would eventually become a millionaire!
- I got mad – I made a list of all the things I wouldn’t stand for any longer. Things such as being in debt, working away from my family in a job that I hated, not being able to provide for my family the way I wanted, all my doubts and fears etc.
- Decided what I DID want – I set goals and targets for what I did want in my life in all areas, financial, health, relationships and personal. The main reason people get stuck in their comfort zones is that they just drift through life without working out what they really want. Then they wake up after twenty years like I did and wonder where their life has gone. If you don’t know where you want to go how are you ever going to get there?
- I got educated – I read all the books about finance, money and investing as well as personal development. The best investment you can ever make is in your own mindset! I went to seminars, did online courses and found mentors, coaches and like-minded people to bounce ides off and to hold me accountable to my goals.
- I took action – I invested in property and shares, I made mistakes but I corrected a long the way. I kept taking action and eventually I started my own online business. Action breeds confidence and gets results!
So now it’s your turn
I challenge you to escape your comfort zone!
Turn your good life into a great one and take control of your financial destiny!
Follow my five-steps… Decide you want more, get mad at what you will no longer stand for in your life, set goals for what you do want, educate yourself and take MASSIVE ACTION!
Make mistakes, correct on the way and NEVER GIVE UP!
ESCAPE YOUR COMFORT ZONE!
If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave them below.
Until next time, I am John W. Newman and always remember…
Dream It… Believe It… Then Achieve It!
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So true John, aren’t we all guilty of our own comfort zone.
I realized the danger of this several years after college. I have a fairly secured job and I was able to spend on more things. At the same time, I was just doing repetitive task at work and slipping into a monotonous lifestyle.
Before I knew it, I was ‘unchallenged’ and ‘un-inspirational’. My creativity was dead and I didn’t feel like doing anything new anymore.
It took me a year or so to get out of that ‘comfort zone’ and now I am in a happier place because I could feel myself growing all over again.
Thanks for your comment and great insights Cathy!
It is so easy to be drifting along in our comfort zone and not even realise it!
The first step is awareness and then decide that we want more out of life and do something about it!!
Great feedback Cathy!
Great information and motivation here. They say you reap what you sow, and if you keep on doing what you’ve always been doing, you will never achieve more than you have either. Great site John, will bookmark it for later 🙂
Tommy
Awesome Tommy!
You definitely do reap what you sow, put in the work and it will come back ten-fold!
Thanks for your comment!
Fantastic post here, John.
I certainly agree when it comes to escaping the comfort zone because like you say, “a good life gets in the way of a GREAT life.”
It’s far to easy to choose the simple life but in order for one to achieve their full potential and greatness in life, it’s essential to step out of the comfort zone, work hard and aim high.
It’s only the most successful people in life who step out of their comfort zones, make sacrifices, work hard and refuse to give up until they get to where they want to be.
Watching TV night after night will never help people achieve what they want. I have learned to sacrifice TV in order to chase my dream and I’m getting closer to it 🙂
Neil
Couldn’t agree more about the TV watching!!!
It is so easy to sit on the couch for hours watching mindless TV instead of pursuing something that will fulfil us!
Thanks for your comment Neil!
What I learn from Rich Dad Poor Dad is that if you keep doing the same thing as you have been doing for the past years of your life, you will always remain in the same position you are 10 years from now. This really impacts the way I think about life and success. If you want to be successful, you have to get your ass off from your current comfort zone and find a higher level of comfort zone. This process should never stop even when you are successful.
Thanks for sharing this article John!
~Cheers!
Jack (BareNakedScam)
Great insights Jack!
Totally agree!
Thanks for your feedback and support!
You’re so right about our ‘comfort zone’ area, few of us like to leave it, but when we do we can achieve great things. I can identify with your ‘good life getting in the way of your great life’, it’s all about taking action, isn’t it?
Thanks for your feedback Rob!
I totally agree it does all come down to focus and action to start achieving results.
But it is hard to get to that point of pushing out of the comfort zone without also working on our mindset and self-belief. (I guess that it is called a comfort zone for a reason Ha Ha!)
The first step is awareness and then to make the decision to turn that good life into a great one!
This is a great site with great advice and motivation. Can’t wait to read the rest of it!
Thanks for your comment Laurie!
I am glad you like my site and find it of value!
Hi John
Thanks for the inspirational post
I am always know that I wanted to be my own boss and have a better life for myself and my family so I know what are you talking about.
Thanks so much Francisco!
A major part of life is growth and pushing ourselves to a higher standard and a better life!
I wish you great success!