For those of you that know me, you know my Vermont license plate reads "FULLDRAW". If you are an archer or bowhunter, you probably have some idea of what that means...but I challenge you to read further to find the true, deeper meaning of this phrase.
Being at full draw is the point at which you have drawn your bow to your anchor point, and are at the point of highest tension. Upon release of the string, the bow transfers its energy to the arrow and sends it downrange to your target.
Most people believe this license plate reflects my love for archery and bow hunting, and they are correct...however the meaning goes much deeper than that. To me, figuratively speaking, life is about getting to that point of being at "FULLDRAW" on that which you are seeking. To a bowhunter, hundreds of hours of preparation, thousands of dollars, and countless other sacrifices goes into getting oneself to full draw in front of that buck or bull. There are days I don't want to work on my game...its too hot or cold, raining, or I am just flat lazy, but I realize that if I am not growing and getting better I am shrinking and getting worse. All I have to do is envision being at full draw on the buck of my dreams, and usually it is enough to motivate me to get moving and keep preparing.
The same is true in the world of finance. We must always maintain focus on the destination. The monthly savings, premium payments, and sacrifices are for a larger goal, to get to the place financially where you want to be...whatever that is. if you don't do the reps now, there is little chance that you will hit your target.
Interestingly, I have learned that eventually the work part of the equation becomes the fun. At first, you have to force yourself to do the reps...the blank bale shooting, the mental imagery, shooting hundreds of arrows. But after a few weeks, you begin to crave the work. A day without moving toward your ultimate goal is like a day without sunshine! The journey becomes as much fun as reaching the destination. That is a great life, isn't it!
My job is to find what motivates you, and help you move toward it. I learned a long time ago that people move in the direction of their wants, not their needs. If I can help my clients identify what it is that they truly want, then break that goal down into daily or weekly tasks, and keep them focused on the destination, success is all but guaranteed.