Never confuse activity for effectiveness. Many people wrongly believe that because they are busy, they are also moving forward and accomplishing goals. Without activity, there is no effectiveness but there can be plenty of activity without effectiveness. It’s important to differentiate between the two.
Category: Life Philosophy
Make Hay While the Sun Shines
Many people tend to think that the Top 1% of income earners in America is a fairly ubiquitous group that tends to stay consistent through time. In fact, nothing is further from the truth. The odds of getting into the top 1% of income earners are higher than most think, while the odds of staying… Continue reading Make Hay While the Sun Shines
Stop Playing Small Ball – Focus on the Big Stuff
Years ago, David Bach hit it big with his concept of the “Latte Factor.” According to his website, the Latte Factor concept is based on focusing on small expenses in order to save money for retirement and other goals. In theory, by eliminating those $5 and $10 recurring expenses, you can have the money available… Continue reading Stop Playing Small Ball – Focus on the Big Stuff
Never Forget Pascal’s Wager
Should you believe in God? More importantly, what the heck does that have to do with a family finance blog? As it turns out, a lot. Blaise Pascal was a French philosopher, mathematician, physicist, and inventor – basically the classic Renaissance Man. He came up with what I believe to be one of the better… Continue reading Never Forget Pascal’s Wager
Reputation Risk is Why You Need F-You Money
Most of us dream of working a fulfilling career until we have enough money so that we can choose our own path: we can stay if we wish, move on to a new and more fulfilling career, or head out the door with two middle fingers straight in the air never to work again. But… Continue reading Reputation Risk is Why You Need F-You Money
Make Sure Your Default Life is the One You Want
Almost no one changes the default settings on their tablet or their computer. The majority of people use the default ringtone on their cellphones. Many people don’t sign up for their 401k because they never get around to it. Such is the power of default settings. Much like anything else, our personalities have defaults; defaults… Continue reading Make Sure Your Default Life is the One You Want
Follow your Passion on the Side
Follow your passion and the money will follow. So goes the advice anyway. It’s also not very likely. Not only not likely, but given how happiness and life satisfaction work, there’s a good chance that you’re following the wrong path. Following your passion is great advice; just not when determining a career path. The University… Continue reading Follow your Passion on the Side
Be Even Steven
Moderation leads to a happy and healthy life, while extremes cause an unsustainable pattern of highs and lows. Can moderation also lead to a successful life in all important aspects? Being Even Steven (apologies to the women reading this – there seems to be no female version) does not mean a life of mediocrity. Rather,… Continue reading Be Even Steven
Be Accountable: Track Your Progress
Self-discipline, focus, and grit are all key components of making steady progress towards your ideal life. Behind all of these is the concept of accountability. Accountability means being responsible for your own actions and answering the consequences of those actions. It means not passing the buck and not shirking your responsibility. It’s a trait we… Continue reading Be Accountable: Track Your Progress
Process, Not Goals
Goal setting is so ingrained in our society that it would be heresy to suggest there is any other way to get ahead. Like anything else, goals can be positive if used correctly, or they can be debilitating if used incorrectly. Most of us use goals incorrectly. We set unrealistic goals or we set them… Continue reading Process, Not Goals