Where Is Your Focus?
Posted on May 15, 2008 |
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Having focus in your life is very important. Imagine a project at work…you need focus to concentrate and get it done properly. Doing some work around the house? Better be able to focus with that nail gun in your hand (wha? Ouch!). Your career, school, family…you need to focus in all aspects of your life!
But can focus be bad too?
Imagine you are watching TV. You see a commercial for a 52 inch flat screen television. Whoa. It looks pretty cool. But you know you really can’t afford it. No prob. Then you go over to a friend’s house and what’s hanging on the living room wall? That 52″ flat screen! “Yeah, I can afford it” your bud says. “Hmm…if he can afford it maybe I can,” you think to yourself as you drool about the crisp picture. You start thinking more about that TV. Your tax refund came in. That stimulus check showed up. For fun you Google it and discover it gets great ratings. Seems every time you turn on the TV you see the commercial for it. Check it out - Best Buy is offering free shipping on TV’s. You start to think you need the TV. You have to have it! Next thing you know you’re in the store handing over your credit card…
Has something like this happened to you (it’s certainly happened to me)? Your focus was misguided. You focussed on the wrong thing. You became obsessed.
How do you avoid this?
Instead of focus you need to be conscious of yourself. Take a second and look at yourself like you are another person. Does the purchase still make sense? Does your behavior towards the item seem rational?
Talk to a friend about it. Make sure you have some frugal friends though. Describe the situation and ask their honest opinion.
Focus is an amazing thing to have but we have to combine it with consciousness as well. Every day we are bombarded with ads telling us about a product we supposedly need. Work on consciousness and meld that with your focus. It can improve your life in so many ways.
Where is your focus and are you aware of what you are focussed on?
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photo by alejandro c
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Filed Under Life, Personal finance, tips
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8 Responses to “Where Is Your Focus?”
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- Eden said: That's great! I wish you guys the best. My wife and I don't have kids yet, but we are trying. Our plan is for her to stay home when we do. Right now, it won't be easy, but we are working hard now to change our lives enough to make it a realistic possibility. on What Is Raising A Child Worth - We’re Going To One Income
- Cy said: You are spot on. My manual also says 7500 miles. Thanks. This is a great tip and I'm linking from my blog. on Don’t Waste Money On Oil Changes
- Frank J said: Pay it or pay for it by hurting your credit. Nice post! on Friday Franklin Money Quote September 5th, 2008
- HIB said: Nice post! This is something we're actually looking at possibly next year. We may be having our first child and we want my wife to have the option of staying home. We may be actually downsizing our home to help accommodate our financial needs. Thanks! -HIB on What We’re Doing To Adjust To One Income
- Frank said: I highly recommond checking out Fidelity's SPARTAN US EQ INDEX Cheap s&p 500 index fund on I Re-Allocated And Re-Balanced My 401(k) Portfolio
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I’m focused on being happy in the moment. Wanting something to be different or not being aware or being alive, healthy, and happy happens when I am not focused. Remembering that keeps it in perspective.
My focus lately has been on a riding lawn mower.It’s not a want though. It is really a need. We are going to have a little over an acre of lawn to mow. Instead of the half hour it takes us to mow the lawn now. It would take quite a bit longer to mow the new place.
Based on this info would this be a want or a need?
I hear you - I did that same thing with a new car right before I started my site about a year ago. Every day I’d be looking at ads and finding reasons to NOT buy the car, but itching and itching to find the right moment too. Thankfully, I’ve pushed off those thoughts and have saved a few $ in the process!
@ Nicole - You hit it on the head there. Be happy in life first and always and everything else will follow!
@ Mark - It’s subjective. How much is your time worth? Obviously without the riding mower it will take longer. Is your life energy better spent somewhere else? If so it might be worth purchasing a riding mower. Another consideration is how much it costs? Will buying the mower put you in debt? Will it deplete your savings? You have to look at all of these things to make your decision.
I’d love to hear what you decide and why. Let us know!
@ Hank - Sometimes the best thing to do when making a purchase is wait. Get the emotions out of the way so you can make the right choice. It’s nice to hear you were able to save!