I always wonder why do we fear to do something. When did doing the right thing turned out to be the wrong thing? It’s just the fear. How long will you wait?
You have an idea, but you’re not sure whether to implement, remember if you think it’s the right thing to do, then go for it, how can it be wrong when doing the right thing? You have been dreaming of a very good idea, however, you have doubts that it won’t work. How can you reach a conclusion before trying it?
Forward planning and putting your ideas into action wouldn’t be a bad idea but a very healthy one. As such, planning for your retirement and investing (irrespective of your age) for the future would not be wrong but it’s the right path. However, it can only be the right path if you plan and implement it, not just writing down smart goals and leaving them until tomorrow which will never come.
Just ask yourself, you have this brilliant idea and would like to put into action, how can it a wrong as deep down you know it’s the right thing to do. Remember making mistakes is one part of learning and it’s a process of being successful. How many times have you missed an opportunity which you couldn’t grab with both hands, instead you had 101 excuses. All this can be due to lack of confidence, fear and negative attitude towards yourself. Some of the negative/obstacles factors that can prevent someone from starting a venture
Lack of confidence and Negativity
Lack of confidence and negative attitude can be one of the stumbling block that can bring that double such as no I don’t think this is for me or I can do this. It’s a fact that there is a battle in every human being’s mind, should I or shouldn’t I? It’s due to this negativity some people kill or destroy their own ideas and not believing that they can do something positive. Remember there is nothing impossible everything with determination and persistence can be accomplished or managed.
As a human nature is easy to turn our minds into negative thoughts, try not to be one of those people, always turn your thoughts into positive however, difficult they are, there is always a way out. With negative mind, even when there is a promising idea before you an idea that is realistically good, because your mind is in negative mode, the mind will manage to find a reason to object to the idea.
In order to justify the negativity and lack of confidence inside your mind you will find reasons and excuses such as:
• I cannot do it or this is not for me
• I don’t know how to do it and I don’t have the experience
• I will do it next, or next month, or even tomorrow (procrastination)
• People never understand my situation
• I need more time to think about it
• I don’t have money or resources etc.
Fear is Another Big Enemy
Another big enemy to holding back our success is fear. Human being’s fear of the unknown is like a thorn sometimes we are so scared to touch thinking it hurts or a hot surface which we assume touching it can burn you. What we forget is that, even though the surface is hot, but there some aides that can assist to make sure you can manage touching the hot surface without getting burnt. We always use a lot of energy concentrating on this fear of the unknown, while instead of using your time and energy into something productive that would be useful.
Another big enemy is we always tend to fear what other people would think of you if you don’t succeed. But what you forget is what would happen to you in 20/30 years to come with all the changes with retirement ages going up every year? Would you be able to continue to work even when you are over 70 years because you are waiting for the government pension to mature? And even with that pension you are not sure whether it will be enough to cover all your never ending expenses?
And if you stop working what impact would your situation have on your family and their financial needs? Or would you rather enjoy your most precious thing i.e. time with your family and friends because you have everything under control and you can afford to retire early?
Due to Lack of confidence and fear, we always think that I will end up making a lot of mistakes, as you always think that, I am not supposed to make any mistakes. You should stop thinking you have to be perfect! Perfectionism is a disease in many ways; it is unobtainable and is a pointless use of your energy. In any adventure, you have to learn and be prepared and accept that you will make mistakes. Be comfortable with making mistakes but endeavour to always learn something of value from them. Do not be apathetic to making mistakes but do not live in fear of making them either as this could impede your success.
Remember, any new adventure won’t be a hit overnight. Yes, you may not be successful at the beginning, but with determination, patience and persistence you will be successful, you won’t be wrong when you are doing the right thing. Stop being in the waiting lounge, take action now and overcome your lack of confidence and fears.
How can Overcome?
Everyone has her/his weak and strengths, likes and dislikes. Taking this into account, as such, as a starting point it’s important to learn to refine your best strengths, once you have identified your strength then try to concentrate on them. It’s also vital to identify your weakness too as this will help you to avoid to focus too much on your weakness or/ how you can turn them and be part of your strengths.
Remember, don’t be discourage, Despite all of the above, you will only succeed if you are prepared in whatever path you choose. Design your desired outcome, make a plan to get there and then work that plan using your biggest strengths. Through this methodology you will obtain awesome results.
Focus on what you can do today? What have you done to happen? What are your desired outcome? Are you doing the right actions? Stop thinking that everything has to be perfect. Importantly do the work preparation and be awesome!
In any adventure there some Fundamental abilities that can help to plan and run a successful business and enjoy your retirement life.
- Ability to prioritize: It’s an essential skill as one of the components that can help to implement your ideas. In order to act or implement any imaginations/ideas you need to prioritise your plans. If you don’t prioritise your life, sometimes your priorities are upside down, hence you won’t be able to fulfil your dreams
- Determination, practice and patience
- Ability to Plan: Planning is an essential part of our daily life. You need to plan what next. It is a good idea as part of planning to a make “to do list” . This will help you to prioritise your ideas and as you grow older your mind tends to go into sleeping mode sometimes hence forgetting a few things. Even if you are not old when you have a 101 things to do you need a list, to simplify your daily life. You need plan and structure your daily life. Set yourself realistic expectations and get organised that’s good planning. Some factors that would help with planning and take action with your retirement life would be:
- use your time wisely;
- adapting to changes as you entire into the retirement phase, your life style changes, you need to adapt to changes. Some people find it hard to accept changes. Retirement is part of a change in our life. Your mind and body should be ready to accept changes and learn how to control stress. As this phase may cause a lot of stress and this can be a contributing factor to other health problems.
- Ability to Visualise: What would happen, when your business picks up or your charity start yielding fruits by helping other people? What would you do with the extra cash are you going to buy that fancy car you fancied or go on your long awaited holiday. Start to use your imagination. You can do something when you have a clear picture of what you are planning or intend to do. Such as if you’re planning to renovate your house, you will have a clear picture of the renovations you want to carry out such colour for the different rooms, etc. Put your imaginative mind into work and see the results in front of you. Visualisation can help achieve your goals. The only limit is your own mind. When visualising your idea, remove the negative thoughts. Utilise your skills and talents in action.
For example, if you’re planning to make lovely meal for your friends or family, you would think what you would prepare, the pots you would use, below are some of my favourite pots to produce a wonderful meal; when would the meal be ready etc; then perhaps what type of meat you would buy how you would prepare it step by step and what would be the accompanying dish. Eventually, Imagine your friends/family enjoying the meal what an experience you would feel?
As such if you’re determined to be successful you need to keep in mind those fundamentals.
With all the planning and preparation you won’t be wrong when doing something right. Remember it’s you who can make it wrong however, you have the ability to rectify it. Use your skills and talents including your experience to make it happen.
