What is your favorite motivational quote?

[Chett]

I read a book recently that was filled with motivational quotes. The book included a quote I came across when I was attending a school while serving in the Marines. The quote is by Theodore Roosevelt and perfectly sums up why I cannot just let a goal or endeavor slip through my fingers and never attempt it. The quote is below.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

What is your favorite motivational quote and why? Your favorite quotes will be featured over the next few weeks.

[Joshua]

"There's never nothing going on... There are no ordinary moments" - from "a Peaceful Warrior" by Dan Millman

Why? I was the type of person who seemed to be stuck in that "nothing is happening and I'm not moving forward" state until I read that book. Puts things into perfective. If you truthfully think nothing is going on or your not moving forward, do something about.

[Kelly]

Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.

[Chett]

Another quote I really like is "Never wish your life was easier. Wish that you were better."

[Erica Kuhn]

i like the quote........."what ever makes you weak, will only make you stronger!" i feel thats desire is a humble determination..you don't even understand untill you acutully see your biggest weakness face to face and smile with faith and love that this could be your greatest uprising. (dicotomy is the only thing that can make us realize the best prts of our lives) ... oh got a question aside of chetts comment.........how do you learn to pay yourself first with out taking advantage of your self ,your finanices? another, question, believe , and feeling you deserve........?cookies and shoes? not being excessive.............but just a day out with the girls, buying a simple dress, eating out, and not feeling completely feeling guilty,,,,,,,,,,and the cookie always makes you feel bad.......when you know how hard you work.... what do you guys and girls think..........im sinking in my finances again..........and i have a 1/2 marathon in a month.....and i love my wine. suggestions????

[Chett]

Erica,

You are asking a great question. Can I get ahead financially and enjoy life too? I think that is what your are asking. It's like asking "Can I diet and still enjoy things I like to eat?" The answer is yes to both questions. I don't think reaching your goals is all about sacrifice for the future and no enjoyment for the present. In dire circumstances there may be a period of sacrifice, but that is not a long term plan. You have to look for a balance in your spending. Check out a book called All Your Worth. It discusses the concept of a balanced money and spending. In a nutshell the book suggests your necessities should not exceed 50% of your income, your wants can be up to 30% and your savings should be 20%. This idea gives a lot of latitude to your spending once you keep your necessities to 50% or less. A big key is just getting organized first and see where the money is going then you can begin to re-adjust from there. I hope this helps.

[Erica Kuhn]

Chett said:

Erica,

You are asking a great question. Can I get ahead financially and enjoy life too? I think that is what your are asking. It's like asking "Can I diet and still enjoy things I like to eat?" The answer is yes to both questions. I don't think reaching your goals is all about sacrifice for the future and no enjoyment for the present. In dire circumstances there may be a period of sacrifice, but that is not a long term plan. You have to look for a balance in your spending. Check out a book called All Your Worth. It discusses the concept of a balanced money and spending. In a nutshell the book suggests your necessities should not exceed 50% of your income, your wants can be up to 30% and your savings should be 20%. This idea gives a lot of latitude to your spending once you keep your necessities to 50% or less. A big key is just getting organized first and see where the money is going then you can begin to re-adjust from there. I hope this helps.

[Erica Kuhn]

thanks chett....i had a little wine that nite...was feeling a bit passionate...i really need direction with my money...i make good money....and i either save like a crazy person....or i spend like a crazy person.....and then i just get scared to even look at my money...i need balance... and i don't know my limits. im a little better with the physical workout commitment.. well thnks for the advice and thanks for the tip on the book.
Chett said:

Erica,

You are asking a great question. Can I get ahead financially and enjoy life too? I think that is what your are asking. It's like asking "Can I diet and still enjoy things I like to eat?" The answer is yes to both questions. I don't think reaching your goals is all about sacrifice for the future and no enjoyment for the present. In dire circumstances there may be a period of sacrifice, but that is not a long term plan. You have to look for a balance in your spending. Check out a book called All Your Worth. It discusses the concept of a balanced money and spending. In a nutshell the book suggests your necessities should not exceed 50% of your income, your wants can be up to 30% and your savings should be 20%. This idea gives a lot of latitude to your spending once you keep your necessities to 50% or less. A big key is just getting organized first and see where the money is going then you can begin to re-adjust from there. I hope this helps.

[Chett]

It is funny you talk about the psychological aspect of finding balance, I had the very same discussion with a teacher friend today. She discussed how she makes the minimum payments on her bills, and then splurges here and there and the rest of her money seems to slip through her fingers until the next pay day. She mentioned making a purchase, and then nervously checking her account balance on the internet to make sure she was still in the black. Or, some months not checking her account balance for days afraid of seeing what the balance might be. As she described these feelings I remember doing those exact things as we were trying to get by each month.

Just sit down one evening and total up your monthly expenses. As long as your income each month exceeds your expenses you are in good shape. Next set up some type of automatic savings to an online bank account. Make sure you don't have an ATM card for the account. ING direct or FNBO are both well known banks that you could use. Set up the monthly draft to take place within a day of when you get paid. You can do the same thing with an investment account. If the savings is automatic you will never miss it. If you have a plan to pay off your debt, and are saving money for yourself, you don't have to worry about how you are spending the rest of your money.

[Emily]

Erica,

I think Chett is right on the money about setting up a separate savings account, even if you can't save very much to start. For me, the key was having a savings account that was not at the same bank as my checking account. With an ING savings account, it takes 3 business days or so to be able to transfer money to a linked checking account so you can spend it - that is a great deterrent to making impulse purchases with money that you are trying to save. It's a small thing, but has literally revolutionized my ability to save money. Good luck and yes, remember, to still enjoy yourself!

-Emily

[Amber]

"Always be a first rate version of yourself, and not a second rate version of someone else."

A quote I live by. My blog kinda says what I mean.

[Glenn]

"Winner's do everyday what losers do occassionally"

[Cheyanne]

With God all things are possible.