This week I've been working on my money goals for 2014 and I've come to realize that I'm never satisfied with simply meeting the goal I've set for myself in the time I've allotted. I wonder if I'm sacrificing the joy of meeting a goal by always doing whatever possible to exceed that goal.
I don't believe I'm setting the bar too low and making the goal to easy. But I'm wondering at the wisdom of always making an effort to beat the end date versus letting it play out in schedule.
It's like 95% is just as much of an "A" as 100%, but 95% was a much more joyful journey, KWIM?
I have many students who get very upset if they miss one question on a test. Getting a 98 as opposed to 100 really troubles them (my students are all adults, most of them business majors.) Others feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment getting a 90 because, after all, they earned the A with the least number of points. So if points could be correlated with effort, I could draw a conclusion but it cannot. Is it hitting and exceeding your mark that does it for you or putting great effort into hitting or exceeding your mark?
I have a few financial goals and one or two personal goals for 2014 so I'm anxious for the challenges to begin.
Not ever being entirely satisfied is something that's driven people for thousands of years, and keeps us striving for betterment of ourselves, our loved ones and ultimately everyone. I think the trick is to reward yourself for the successes but then continually set the bar a little higher. Just make sure your goals are attainable, as I don't think being perpetually disappointed in your achievements is conducive to a happy state of mind.
Very common with me. Also, once I hit x, if I don't hit x+10 the next time, I feel very let down. I am experiencing a bit of this currently as I realize we may not save as much over all as last year (largely due to hubby's side business profit fluctuations and increasing costs of many things that are 'needs'). Now, we'll still save a good bit, but I'm already trying to prepare myself to see that smaller number this year, accept it, and (attempt) to still have a sense of pride that it's what we saved, even if it's x-5 instead of x or x+10. I also try to remind myself that we've only been tracking such things for a few years, so I need to ease up on my emotional tie to those numbers because there will be fluctuations. I'm often too hard on myself about such things, and I need to learn to not be. If we save less this year, it wont be because we went on spending splurges or got sloppy about managing our money...it will be because that's what we could do.
So yes, not only do I need to hit that goal, I prefer to exceed it and only build up from there. And it really burns my bread when it doesn't work that way!!!
I guess I am not too hard on myself until it gets close to the end. Then I start trying to rearrange things to pay off stuff sooner.
I win be intersting to put saving on auto and see if it is or isnt enough.
I've thought more about this one. I have a crap load of health issues, none of which are my fault. I've always eaten well, avoided caffeine and booze and exercised. I've always been slim and in shape. Despite that I have some bad crap going on. I'm very happy I traveled and did some amazing things in my 20s and 30s, even if it means I have less now. So many people hoard money up for retirement or to give it to their kids when they die and they miss life. They retire and get sick or die. I've lost some young friends during the past five years and it made me realize that living each day is important and balance is important. So, don't beat yourself up for your past. Learn from it, appreciate the joy in it, and move forward.
If we're always focused on the future, we miss the beauty of the present.
That said, I still am driven :yeah:
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