I need your help, advice, suggestions or hard truths.
January is always a great opportunity to press the reset. Take stock of what is going on and then set some goals to put you on track. In years gone by I have done exactly that and really enjoyed the process and outcome. The resolutions may not necessarily always be finance driven but it always kept me motivated.
However this year feels different. There is an element that the mojo isn't there, so I have been trying to unpack and figure out why.
These are what I have planned which I feel I will hit, with only the side hustle being the true challenge if I am honest.
I normally start this process by looking back and working out what I am doing that is inefficient, or what has stopped bringing me joy that is no longer a necessity to do. At the moment I don't enjoy ironing and cleaning but I cannot afford someone else to do it!
For example in the past I stopped any impulse buying and instead did the 48 hour rule on anything I bought, where I simply would wait and see if I really needed it 2 days later. This helped me reduce my expenditure and curb my debt - win.
I have also in the past limited my alcohol intake. Only drinking on a weekend, as much as possible always with someone, or when celebrating, or if the particular drink is unique for it's taste. This stopped routinely having beer, wine and G+T's at home for no reason, and limited the amount of drinks I got when I was out. This was a great one as I spent less, felt better and was more productive. I loved this one and try as much as possible to keep it going. The rules are fairly loose but it ultimately gets me to question 'is the drink worth it?' and then when I do drink I value it more.
Another favourite has been to read a new book every month, I did this for 2 years I enjoyed it so much, but now it would eat into any spare time I have, and I felt after reading the books on how to get rich and should probably start putting some of it into practice!
Readers of this blog know my FIRE journey is about 18 months old now and for the past 9 months I have been fairly steady with no debt, slowly increase in my monthly contributions, but probably most importantly focusing more (all) spare time on my side hustles which will create more income. And I think this is where the mojo has gone. I've focused hard on this putting in a lot of effort. But the reward or results have been poor. I've not had the increased attention I would expect and the figures have not gone up by as much as I had hoped.
Admittedly one of the projects is a real slow burner and of much higher value than the others, so I really do hope by the end of the year I can see the fruits of this labour.
And this is why I find it tough to do a new years resolution. Do I sacrifice more other things in the pursuit of these side hustles?
Do I enjoy the reduced stress I am now in that I am not in debt and have at least some element of an emergency fund so have lost the drive?
Do I sit smugly that past me never invested anything and here I am putting in £200 per month? (I know that's small which is probably half of the problem it's a delusional smugness)
I've journaled about this problem and I am hoping that with this blog it acts as a joint therapy approach on how to solve my dilemma.
My gut is I just need to be more specific now in my goals for my side hustles.
I need to break down monthly targets to keep me fired up, and that I will see the change.
How much per month do I want to make from any side hustles?
What is stopping me improving my main project outcome an how do I solve it? No point doing the same thing again and expecting a different result.
I will make a resolution or lifestyle change that is for sure. I just don't want to rush it right now. Watch this space.
Any advice for me? What, if any, did you pick?
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