How
many of us have ideals that we want but never get off first base
because we feel we don’t know the next step or doubt that have what
it takes to get there?
This
is where delaying gratification can create lasting results.
In
the eighties a single mother had made the difficult choice of leaving
her profession while her children were very young. She rationalised
that divorce was not going to deprive her children of a sound home
and foundation in life.
Part
of her strategy was first to ensure that the family home, which she
had built in nineteen seventy six, remained just that. Even though
funds were low she devised a strategy to not only ensure that the
home and family were secure, but also took steps to improve her position.
Her
philosophy is very simple and remains to this day, if you don’t
have the cash to pay for it then you really can’t afford it.
Starting
with pen and paper she identified things that would improve not only
the quality of life, but also her financial standing. Some were very
simple, some involved doing what needed to be done starting with a
small house cleaning business.
In the ten years away from her career she raised her children,
kept the home through interest rates of almost twenty per cent, did
further studies adding to her professional standing and started two
home based businesses. One of which she still operates very
successfully today.
Moving
forward from the eighties to the present day the same home the
children were raised in has been renovated with the
most up to date, energy efficient fittings that you would expect to
find in a brand new, upmarket apartment.
She
also works part time, has used another very difficult passage in her
life as source material for a book* and looks forward to a very
secure retirement. Largely because of the vision that came from
planning and looking for answers.
All
of this has also lead to a vision for projects that will be a
significant part of life beyond retirement. It's worthwhile noting
here too that the children benefited from her example as well. Her
son has his own home and with his partner is building a career of his
choice through part time studies. Her daughter works part time while
studying for a career that she knows will be fulfilling and provide a
good income.
The
significance of all of this is that all three have well researched,
written goals and plans.
