Money Musings 💭 a mind-blowing way to reframe 🤯
We’re almost two months into 2020. How does it feel like it’s already been a full year while simultaneously feeling like it’s flying by?
This year, I tried something new and chose a theme word for the year. It’s almost like a mantra I want to live my year by.
My word? Deliberate.
I have called myself a recovering investment banker. In my first internships and jobs out of school, I was trained to spend my days in turbo mode. I was working for different bosses on multiple projects where every deadline was ASAP. The sooner I got it all done, the more likely it was that I’d get to sleep. 😴
I love getting things done. I love setting a goal and blazing through the milestones. I think this work ethic and practice can be somewhat helpful in the early stages of starting a business as you’re throwing spaghetti up on a wall and waiting to see what sticks.
But when you’re setting the direction, it’s not sustainable and it’s not efficient. It’s a modus operandus that’s ripe for burnout and a lot of wasted energy.
This year I’m going to be deliberate. I’m going to be thoughtful about the things I say ‘yes’ to and about how we tackle each project. Instead of blazing through, I’m going to slowww down ✋ and take time to reflect and assess before moving on to the next thing.
It’s already been very uncomfortable but it’s what will serve me, the Fiscal Femme, all of you, and my family best over the long term. Do you have a theme for 2020? I’d love to hear about it!
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Money Move of the Week
Goals vs. strategies. We often think of our money goals as the things we want. The vacation 🏖, the house 🏡, the salary 💰, etc. Take a moment and write down some of the things you want. Really… take a minute to do it. Then think about what those things or experiences truly provide you. What’s the value or experience you get from them? The vacation might mean rest and relaxation or a chance to explore.
Ok, time to 🤯 reframe. The value or experience (like the R&R) is actually the goal and the things we want (like the vacation) are our current strategies to get them. What are some other strategies (potentially free or inexpensive) to get those feelings or experiences? Maybe to experience R&R I don’t set an alarm one morning or I watch my favorite TV show in the afternoon, just because. 🤗
You can still go on vacation, but you can also add more of that experience in your life. If you’re trying to save more, you can switch it out for something that costs less but still gets the same result.
You Gotta See This
ICYMI, there have been some incredible activist moments at recent award shows. At the Academy Awards, Natalie Portman wore a cape embroidered with the names of snubbed female directors saying, "I wanted to recognize the women who were not recognized for their incredible work this year in my subtle way." Chris Rock and Steven Martin mentioned that the best director nominees list was missing… vaginas.
At the Golden Globes, in Michelle Williams’ acceptance speech, she shared that her career success hinged on her right to choose - the right to choose when to have her children and with whom. “So women, 18-118 when it is time to vote, please do so in your own self interest. It’s what men have been doing for years, which is why the world looks so much like them. Don’t forget, we are the largest voting body in this country. Let’s make it look more like us.”
At the U.K. BAFTAs, Joaquin Phoenix accepted best actor for the Joker, among a list of all white nominees. “I think that we send a very clear message to people of color that you’re not welcome here. I think that’s the message that we’re sending to people that have contributed so much to our medium and our industry and in ways that we benefit from.” He goes on to say, “We have to really do the hard work to truly understand systemic racism… It is the obligation of the people that have created and perpetuate and benefit from a system of oppression to be the ones that dismantle it. So that’s on us.”