How To Get Ahead When You're Just Getting By

You're a go-getter in a challenging time or a standstill with your accomplishments. In business, your career, or personal finances, you can't stand “sitting on your hands”, waiting for an opportunity or inspiration to present itself.

Maybe your family is feeling the tightness of money. Maybe you feel scared or unprepared for what might come next economically. Maybe you're just a person who is comforted by constant progress.

So what can you do in a time like this?

How can you get ahead when you're just getting by?

1. Incrementally

Life is full of seasons, and some are slow. Right now you need to accept the season you are in and that your progress will be very incremental. Think of it as a time for planting seeds. You're not feeling bountiful because it's not harvesting time. But one day, the way you spent your hours, days, and weeks right now, will pay off!

So ask yourself, what seeds can you plant now? How would your time now be best spent to pay you dividends later?

2. Re-Define Success, Create Your Brand Of Wealth

To ensure that you are taking the right incremental steps to reap the reward later, you need to determine what your desired outcome is in the first place. Now is the best time to re-calibrate your vision. Ask yourself and journal what success looks like to you. Are there specific milestones that will make you feel as though you 'made it' to certain levels? How is it you want to feel? What goals will you have to make and who will you have to become to achieve them? Don't forget to include your values and what is most important to you along this journey!

This document might be something you wish to re-visit every day, to keep it in the forefront of your mind and make sure your 'seed planting' matches 'the plan'.

3. Get Healthy

Health is wealth. They say that if you don't make time for your wellness today, you'll be forced to make time for your illness tomorrow. Not only does the body keep score, but if you treat it well, it will reward you with energy. Energy will make you more productive with the time you do have and it will also make you more magnetic to the outside world (to opportunities!).

You'll also be providing people the invaluable example of consistent dedication and self-care despite anything that may stand in the way, which will provide you a positive feedback loop. All of these points and so much more about maintaining your health are priceless!

4. Don't Let Go/Give Up

The LAST thing you want to do in this season is give up. Don't let a low-earning season put you further in the red by acting irresponsibly with credit cards and stuff like that. In fact, don't change how you manage your finances just because less is coming in. Continue to budget, balance, and monitor your accounts just the same as you always have. If looking at your 'reality' is discouraging, be sure to pair it with plenty of positivity around future possibilities. You can do this by learning something new every day about financial independence, another financial topic of interest, or following economic news.

I promise these aren't just coping mechanisms to make you feel better. They ARE seeds that will bear fruit for you and everyone around you! If I was right, come back and email me at [email protected].