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One of my goals was to have 1 million dollars in the bank by the time I was 30.

At 34, I can now say…that didn’t exactly happen.

I’ve created goals in my life, in my business and now I’m beginning to realize and re-evaluate the purpose and real meaning behind these goals.

My real journey with what I’m doing now, didn’t even start until I was 28. Leading up to that point I was working my tail off for somebody else and wasn’t exactly enjoying what I was doing. At that point it was more about survival than anything else. But when I started my business, my game plan had just been put in place and I was just beginning to enjoy the direction my life was taking.

Then when I turned 30 and came face to face with the fact that I didn’t hit that goal – I really beat myself up about it. Even though this was simply an arbitrary goal I had set, I was incredibly hard on myself for not achieving it. The reality was since I started working on my own business at 28, that only gave me a two year window to reach this goal and that simply wasn’t going to happen.

[Want to hear more? > Listen to Project Life Episode 016: One Million Dollars in the Bank]

Then I came to the realization – why does it even matter that I didn’t hit that one million dollar goal? So I didn’t have one million dollars by the time I was 30, so what? Why does it even matter, what difference does it really make? My problem was I treating it as a sprint, when it’s actually a marathon. The business I run now is a marathon, to the full extent of the word. I have been running our business for 7 years now and we make a profit every year. With the goal being to continue to scale the business, reach more people and generally, grow. Now I know the income will grow and the bank account will grow but the question is – what if I never hit one million dollars in the bank? What then?

Gaining this new and different perspective about the reality of life and business, has created a beneficial mindset shift. I get to see my daughter and wife every day, choose my own hours, and live life on my own terms. Of course I have other goals that require extra capital but it’s honestly not the end of the world if those never happen either.

Have you had a dream that you’ve beat yourself up about not achieving? Let me know in the comments!

When you look back on your past, how does it make you feel?

Now, how does it feel when you let it go?

This past summer, we had a leak in our basement. Parts of our past are now covered in mold and it forced me to come face to face with previous chapters of my life.

So here I am with boxes upon boxes of things I have carried around and clung on to for roughly 16 years. Reflecting on the history of where I came from versus where I am today.

Step 1 – Acknowledge Your Past

When sorting through my past belongings, a few different feelings came up. Everything from ‘Wow, that’s so not me anymore’ to ‘Wow, I actually accomplished that.’ An important part of the process was to recognize and acknowledge the person I was and how that previous version of myself shaped me into the person I am now.

Reflecting on my past made me realize that even though it looked like I was having the time of my life – I was not a happy person. I think I had everything a little twisted, my habits were not in line with anything I currently value. But, I also came across a few of my goals, what I previously aimed for and seeing what I accomplished surprised me and felt really good.

When you take the time to acknowledge the good, the bad and the ugly from your past, then you can begin to move forward.

Step 2 – Appreciate Your Past (shed a tear if necessary)

It’s powerful to look back and be reminded of what you went through, how you felt, how you behaved and ultimately, all the decisions you made. Looking back forces you to look forward and appreciate who you have become, how far you have come and what you actually manifested in your life that you previously envisioned. This shift in perspective will give your past a new found value.

Once you fully accept all you have been through – your childhood, how your parents affected you, past relationships, jobs…

Remember these stories, learn from them, take note of how they propelled you forward – but don’t hang on to them longer than necessary.

Step 3 – Let It Go

Seeing my belongings now physically falling apart – it’s therapeutic to let go.

It’s one thing to think about and reminisce on the past, but to hold it, look at the pictures, read the words you wrote – that’s where letting go can become a challenge for some. But in this way, the freedom is that much more sweet.

It’s easy to get stuck on where we have been, instead of looking ahead to where we are going.

Your history is part of you, it’s something you will never forget. But the unknown is still out there, so remember to look forward not back.

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Tag: personal growth

One Million Dollars in the Bank

A Beginner’s Guide to Letting Go

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