As you are getting back into the groove of the work week, I want you to take a moment to think about this. Every step you take counts, no matter how big or small. When you take a step forward, you are one step closer to reaching your goals and understanding your purpose. Sometimes our actions stop reflecting our goals, and whether we recognize it or not, it becomes a step back…putting us further away from our purpose Think about everyone who talks about how they are going to get out of debt but continue to spend. They say we are the sum of what we repeatedly do, so let’s make excellence a habit…starting today!

Why is it so hard to take the first step? We let fear paralyze us. Or we tell ourselves that it’s not worth the effort until you are able to make one huge step toward your goals. We tell ourselves that our dreams and goals are too lofty. We sell ourselves the idea that it will never happen for us. The lines between one day and day one blur. If this sounds familiar, let today’s motivational post shift your mindset.

You Are Greatness in the Making

If you are comfortable with your money and career, then it is time to do something that pushes you outside your comfort zone to a level of greatness you have yet to meet. If you are saving money for something specific, push your goal date up by a few months. If you are comfortable in your career, find a way to expand your value with the company. Join a professional organization and expand your network. Whatever your goals are, do not stand still or fall behind. Some of the scariest things garner the most delicious rewards. You can do it. You are greatness in the making. You can be the woman you always wanted to be. Oprah Winfrey once said to you should “create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life because you become what you believe”. I believe I will be debt free. I believe that with hard work and consistency I can get and give everything from my dream career that I have envisioned for myself. I believe I will travel the world. I believe that I deserve financial security. I believe I have the right to change my mind. I believe I am worth it and then I add tax. I also believe these things for you.

My Baby Step to Becoming Debt Free

Every year, I challenge myself to use the money saved from the She Makes Cents BINGO Money Challenge, an easier and more lucrative version of the 52-week money challenge, to help me snowball my debt. Just recently, I have shared my experience with my inner circle in hopes that it would also inspire them to take control of their finances. For me, the She Makes Cents BINGO Money Challenge represents a step in the right direction. It is a step that is creating better saving habits for me and gets me one step closer to eliminating my student loan debt faster. It is a step that is not tiring nor leaves me feeling financially stretched to the max. If I had waited until I was in a place to throw a major lump sum amount at my debt, I might still be waiting. No matter what, every week I cross off one number on my money challenge card and I don’t judge myself if the number is low. Every dollar counts the same way that every step counts which is how I have saved an extra $1,117.00 as of the first Friday in August. The first Friday in January I took a step and started the challenge. What step will you take today? Do something today that your future self will thank you for.

The difference between one day and day one is HUGE! One day I will buy my first house. One day I will apply for a job at my dream company. One day I will lose weight. One day I will take that trip I have always dreamed of. You see, the notion of “one day” allows your dreams and goals for yourself to stay in a constant state of delays and may never happen. Sure, one day you may accomplish them but who knows when one day will come. By comparison, “day one” creates a start date of action to get you working toward your goals. Want to buy your first home? Your day one should include checking your credit report and score. Want to work for another company? Cleaning up your LinkedIn page should then become your first micro-goal. Want to lose weight? Start by researching which foods are best for your goals and what foods to cut from your diet. Want to go on a trip, start putting money aside every check.

Day one doesn’t have to be dramatic, but it is a necessary step in getting where you want to be. Once you get day one out-of-the-way, keep chipping at each of your goals until you accomplish your purpose. Doing so will make sure that it will be the last time you have to think about one day because once you start, you should be able to set a date of accomplish goal. I could say, “one day my student loans will be under the $15,000.00 mark, but instead I know that by my birthday in August, my student loans will break the $15,000.00 mark! See the difference?