I have a technique I use whenever I tell someone about my goals and I get the usual response that either my dreams are too lofty or impossible.
I've had this happen to me several times in my life. Often by the very people closest to me and I've used it as the fuel for my success.
When I became pregnant at 18, not only were people betting against my marriage lasting, my motherhood capabilities, but they had also said I'd never get my bachelor's degree.
By the age of 23, I received my bachelors degree in accounting, happily married for 5 years, 3 kids, and by age 24 I had bought my first house.
I know when I tell people I plan to "retire" in my 40s, I get the looks of "You can't do that" especially when they know we are in debt now
And I just have to remind myself, they just don't know me. They don't know my drive, my ambition. They don't know that EVERY single time I've really wanted something, I have made it happen. Sure, life happens and throws me a curveball... but anything I've ever TRULY wanted, I've made it happen.
In the meantime, I guess I should just take it as a compliment the more people think I can't do something - they obviously don't see the doors open that I see. I guess thats why I'm not afraid in the current market or anything really, cause I know whatever happens I'll be given the tools to deal with it and come out on top. Its not ignorance or bliss... its the confidence of knowing that I make my own dreams come true. I can't control around me or what happens to the economy, but I am able to control how I adjust to it and have the insight to not let any challenge deter me from my goal.
For four years, my job and the director of operations have told me there were no accounting opportunities in my job. I put together a proposal and suddenly I'm right there in Quickbooks, something I was told would never happen.
My DH used to believe we'd never be millionaires... he grew up in a trailer and on welfare. I was the opposite, I've always dreamed big.
Sure we have debt right now, but in 2011, we'll be debt free except the mortgages and I don't plan on selling the houses unless the world changes... so with our TSP, Roth IRAs, DH's pension, and two rental incomes... I think we've got a good plan.
Unwaivering faith
October 21st, 2008 at 12:59 am
October 21st, 2008 at 12:04 pm 1224590696
October 21st, 2008 at 12:33 pm 1224592404
The tagline on my blog used to be "Controlling my destiny, one day at a time," I really believe in that, altho i realize that you can't control everything in your life so in addition to pursuing my goals, i also do the best i can to provide for surprise financial events.
October 21st, 2008 at 02:50 pm 1224600617
When did you decide to aim for retiring in your forties? Will your husband be retiring at the same time? Full retirement, or working part time while collecting retirement pay of some sort? (I just realize sometimes people say retirement when they mean changing jobs and working only part time while collecting a pension.)
October 21st, 2008 at 03:00 pm 1224601254
October 21st, 2008 at 03:51 pm 1224604261
October 21st, 2008 at 04:38 pm 1224607092