Getting to the Starting Line

It's been too long since I've added anything to this blog.

As I sat in church this morning, I was thumbing through one of the weekly magazines found at our welcome desk. An article, while not related to money, got me to thinking about why some people never seem to get ahead or really begin working on their financial journey.

Writer Mark Atteberry tells the story in the 1/18/09 issue of "Christian Standard" about going to a professional football game. Four young guys were seated in front of him. One struck up a conversation and related he had never been to a professional football game in person.

Atteberry writes that the young man still hasn't.

Why?

Throughout the game the gentleman was caught up in everything around him but the game. The concessions, the beer, the women, the wave and numerous trips to the restroom to part with the previous session with the beer. So caught up in all the things going on around him he missed what happened during an important and exciting play. Simply put, while in attendance, he missed the game.

How many people have you met working on a financial plan that are the same way?

Caught up in the details of living on an envelope system and how many and what categories need created. Caught up in the details of couponing and making sure you double, triple or even get a refund on every purchase. Caught up in the details of reading the latest guru and their spin on the age old process of living wisely, on less than what you make, on not getting caught up in debt and trying to impress people you don't even know or may not even like.

Sometimes the best plan of action is to get to the starting line. In one simple word...........start.

Sure, it won't be perfect. It may not even be pretty. But it's a start. A beginning.

Instead of worrying about all the stuff going on around you, like envelopes, coupons, spending plans and debt payments, get to the starting line and being to take control. Control of the situation begins the process of hope. And hope can make great things happen.

Let that start reveal where the changes and tweaks need made and what to leave alone since it is working like a well oiled machine.

Don't be like that young man who may have gone to his only professional football game in his lifetime......and missed it by watching and being concerned with everything going on around the game but the game.

Don't worry about all the peripheral details. Get to the starting line. And start.

Experience and wisdom will take care of the details.