by Coach Jimmy Hays Nelson
The picture you see above is the bill of an unexpected car expense we had to take care of this weekend. Now, depending on who you are, that amount may seem like a lot or not that big of a deal. It really doesn’t matter because the amount is not the point of this blog post. It’s more about what that bill represents.
I’ve never been a big fan of car repair places. Not because I have any personal agenda against people in the automotive industry. It’s mostly a cover for my ignorance when he comes to cars and how they work. Body shops, tire places, even a simple quick-stop oil change always made my stomach turn because it always seemed like when I had to go to these places I was going to 1). Be nickle and dimed for extras my car ‘needed’ according to them and 2). Pay way more than I expected to going in. Either way it usually meant throwing down a credit card that I had to cross my fingers, close my eyes and pray wasn’t maxed out when it came time to check out.
Have you ever felt that way? Like any little unexpected expense could literally ruin your life because you have no wiggle room in your super tight budget?
Most of my 20’s were spent ignoring calls from creditors and bill collectors. Like somehow if I just didn’t acknowledge them they would magically disappear. I wasn’t exactly sure how I maxed out two credit cards. It wasn’t in my plan to drop out of college three times. It sucks to have to call your parents when you are stranded in Los Angeles with a busted muffler with no way to get home. Oh, and let’s not forget the super humbling experience of moving back IN with your parents in your mid 20’s because your mom calls and encourages you to do so because they are worried about you. (Why would they ever be worried? Living on a mattress with no furniture and eating off a box of Minute Rice daily is every successful person’s plan…. right?!?)
So back to this past weekend. I knew my car was due for an oil change, however I was unaware that I was near the limit of being legal when it came to my tires. Not just on one, but all four. I got the phone call from the dealership informing me that they needed to be replaced, and as I hung up I immediately flashed back on how much life has changed in the past five years. There was no panic and anxiety this time. I didn’t feel as though the dealership was ‘out to get me’ or ‘rip me off’.
So, What Changed???
Five years ago I decided to take a chance in doing something I had zero experience with, knew nothing about, with no track record for success. But I knew what I had been doing when it came to income, earning, and finances definitely was NOT working. I had enough wherewithal to realize if I wanted something different in my life I would have to be willing to DO something different. There is a huge difference in life to think about doing something, knowing about doing something, and actually DOING something.
This blog isn’t a pitch to join my team, or get involved with my business. Hopefully it IS a wake up call for you to take action! It’s never too late to learn a new skill, create something of value to the marketplace, or be coached from someone already having success in an area you currently struggle with. There is no ‘perfect time’. Life will not get ‘less busy’ after the holidays … even though you tell yourself that every December. You have a choice. You can be further away from your goals, or closer to the life you live. Will you be closer or further tomorrow? It all comes down to what you do today!
Please stop by my Facebook Page if you need help taking that first step!
In this thing with you! – Coach Jimmy