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Let's continue
exploring great excuses. Of
course you know we're taking a light-hearted approach to a serious
topic -- the many creative ways we talk ourselves out
of doing our best to optimize health!
In our countdown
of the top five most popular reasons, we're
almost there. This is the 2nd most popular, and 47% of the people
I surveyed picked it.
Reason #2: I don't have the money.
Ready? Here's
the set-up. There are two possible things going on.
1: You really
don't have the money.
2: You have
it, but you aren't willing to spend it.
Let's investigate.
1:
No cash (really!) version one
Let's say you really
don't have the money. The cupboard is bare and so is your
checking account. No cash equals no doctor visits, dental
check-ups, health insurance, vitamins, healthy food choices, fitness
club membership, etc. Basically, you'll skip nearly anything you
consider "optional," and that might be a pretty long list.
If you really don't
have the money, take a look at why not. One possibility is a
priority problem. Considering what you
have to work with (your income), are you spending too much on
non-essential items that don't invest in your future? Even on a very
small paycheck, it makes sense to think ahead. Let's look at some
choices you might make.
High quality
investments:
-
Healthy food choices
-
Education
-
Preventative health
care
-
Shelter and clothing
for yourself and your dependents
-
Modest treats and
gifts for yourself, friends, and family
-
Contribution to your
community; tithing
-
Retirement planning
-
More like this
Expenditures
that undermine success:
- Fast food or
other "junk" food choices
- Cigarettes
- Stopping by
the bar after work
- A garage full
of toys your kids won't play with anyway
- High-powered
recreation (boats, vehicles, resorts)
- Designer
coffee
- Premium cable
- More like this
Once
your finances are secure and the essentials covered, go ahead and buy
the jet-ski. Get that designer latte. Drive a Hum-vee. But if you're buying cigarettes instead of
dental floss, re-consider your priorities.
2.
No cash, second version
Another option is
that you're not earning enough. If this sounds like you, then
what can you do to change the situation? Why not start with changing
your beliefs about money?
Dave Thomas, founder
of Wendy's, is a great model. Dave had a passion for adoptable
children. He could have burned
himself out earning $20,000 a year helping one person at a time. Instead,
he built a hugely successful business and funneled the proceeds into a
foundation
that continues its mission today. Dave did a lot more for his cause with money
than he ever could have without it. You can, too.
It doesn't hurt to raise your standards. By setting your
sights too low, you leave yourself vulnerable to all kinds of
difficulties.
3.
Not my problem!
This next section is
for those of you who actually do have the money, but choose not to
spend it on health. Sometimes people come to believe that the
responsibility for their
health lies with someone else. Hmm. Is that a responsibility you really want to turn over?
If someone runs a
red light and hits your car broadside, you were right and they were
wrong according to the law. But what good does that do you? Your
back hurts. Your car's in the shop for a
month. Your schedule gets disrupted. No matter who was right, you still
took the hit. We understand that, so most of us drive
defensively.
Proactive health
choices reflect the same idea. Even if someone else was responsible for
your health, who's going to feel it if their inadequacy results in a problem? You. Even if
it was completely unintentional and they thought
they were doing their very best. Picture yourself sick, injured,
painful, and exhausted. You'll feel that way, not them.
Now cancel that
picture! We know you're healthy and vibrant. Really, though, why not
take the responsibility yourself? Sure, healthier
choices may cost more up front. But it'll be you
that feels great after you make them.
How it sounds
It's too expensive. You're luckier than I am — I can't have those things. I can't
afford it. I don't have the money.
Bottom line
There are a number
of things you can do right away to begin getting your financial act
together in support of healthier choices. Here are 3 to get you
started:
-
Create a list of
specific, measurable goals in each area of your life. Consulting
your goals regularly will help you prioritize and make better use of your
resources.
-
Hang with the right
crowd. Stick with people who have similar goals and you'll end
up with similar results.
-
Read Word
Cures for more actionable ideas.
"I don't
have the money" is
just one of the 21 reasons you'll learn to avoid when you read and
apply the strategies you'll find in Word Cures: How to Keep
Stupid Excuses from Sabotaging Your Health. Check it out here:
www.WordCures.com.
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