April 1st, 2015, and it’s 75 degrees in Minnesota. All is right in the world 🙂
Before I jump on the bike, a quick story…
On Monday I was getting my hair cut at Great Clips ($14, that’s how I roll). I’ve been seeing my current stylist for about a year and towards the end of my haircut, she told me that she recently purchased a GroupOn for $99 to drive a Ferrari or Lamborghini around a track 3 times.
Really? REALLY????
A little context first…
I’ve been seeing this stylist for about a year and I’ve heard her say repeatedly that she doesn’t have any money. In fact, some of you may know that I’m involved with a direct sales company (AdvoCare). We actually met about six months ago to discuss the business opportunity to help her supplement her income. It never panned out, mostly because she “claimed” that she didn’t have the money to get started.
Now, regardless of how opinionated you think I am, I actually don’t care what people spend their money on. It’s not my place to tell you how to spend your earnings, and as far as I’m concerned, you can spend it on whatever you want to. If you want to drive a Ferrari, go nuts. You’ve earned the right to make that decision.
Where I take issue is when someone tells me they don’t have any money and they want to do something about it, yet they still waste what little they have.
Or at least that’s my perception. If you can tell me that driving a fast car around a track 3 times genuinely brings value to your life, makes you a better person and provides a longterm solution to your problem, then my apologies. I stand corrected.
(I find this doubtful)
This story is not altogether different from a person who constantly tells me they want to lose weight. I can only watch you hammer down donuts and Venti double-whip Frappuccinos for so long before I call you out on your incongruent behavior.
In this case, I called her out. I’m not sure if my purpose on this planet is to be honest when most people would bite their tongues, but some of my most respected mentors and friends have called me out when my behavior doesn’t match with what I say I want and what I should be doing.
The best advice I’ve EVER gotten (and that I’ve lived by) is to take 5-10% of your annual income and reinvest it…in YOURSELF. Really, is there any better investment that you could make? You do this, you can readily expect a 10x lifetime return. I’ve seen it happen.
This means if there’s a speaker or seminar nearby, invest in it. If there’s nothing happening in your area, invest in books. If you don’t like reading, invest in audiobooks. If you don’t like listening, invest in a video training course. If you don’t like watching, invest in a coach who will help you to stop making the excuses that are sabotaging your success and to learn the disciplines that will genuinely move your life forward.
Always invest in yourself. You’re worth it.
WRECK the day!
– Scott
Btw – if you read the title thinking I have a new Ferrari, that’s April fools on you. $14 haircuts + new Ferrari = incongruent 🙂
