“There is only one success – to be able to spend your life in your own way,” says “Christopher Morley. It’s a great quote and top ambition to have if you want to achieve some sort of financial freedom, but how realistic is it really to achieve?
I believe it is possible but you may have to get over a few hurdles first, stop questioning your ability, stop apologising and own who you are.
Here’s my six rules to achieving the kind of financial freedom that many women dream about and it all starts with having a better understanding of yourself.
Honour your boundaries
Many women struggle with boundaries. We don’t know where to set them or seem too pushy, or upset anyone.
Boundaries matter because they protect what’s important: you! After you decide what you really want, set and enforce boundaries so you can focus on what really matters to you.
Know what works for you
Your best friend might go to the gym every morning to exercise, while you prefer to sleep in as long as you can. You aren’t living her life, and she isn’t living yours. Stop judging yourself by other people’s standards.
Understand what makes you flourish and do that consistently. The only person you need to make happy is you. Don’t judge your insides by someone else’s outsides!
Ignore the negative talk
You can hear them sneering when you mention the phrase “financial freedom”. They say it’s an illusion or a fantasy. They say it can’t be done.
But just because others say you can’t have it doesn’t make it true.
You know you can create financial freedom for yourself because you have seen other successful women do it.
Always ignore the naysayers, believe in yourself, and create your own path.
Tune in
We all have an inner voice that guides us through our days.
Sometimes it’s a negative voice that says you’re not good enough, and you can’t have what you want.
But it’s time to change the recording in your head and tune her out. Tune in to the positive inner voice: your intuition – this won’t lead you a stray.
Protect your energy
Most people think of time as the most critical resource. But all the time in the world won’t help you if you don’t have the right energy.
If you want to be effective with your time, get your energy right. Ask yourself:
• What builds your energy?
• What (or who) depletes it?
• When are you bursting with positive vibes – and who are you with?
Stop apologising
And finally, as women, we spend so much time apologising. We say sorry for the small things. We say sorry for the big things. We say sorry for just about anything, and sometimes for things that aren’t even our fault. Stop apologising.
Tracey is also author of the book Finding Financial Freedom.