When we make mistakes, or rather while we are making them, often we don’t realize that they are mistakes. My excuse was always, “Oh, I’ll find a way around this,” or “Just this one time.”
I found out though that the more slack I gave myself, the more I repeated the behaviors, and then I beat myself up for not learning from my mistakes.
It is a big thing for me personally to be able to say that I have learned from my mistakes. It took time, effort, and a lot of tears.
Here is my personal list of lessons learned. I have a copy on my fridge so I never forget.
- Be honest about what you need and what you think you need.
- Ignorance is not bliss. Not knowing where you stand financially, can ruin you.
- Don’t buy unless you pay off your debts. No shoes, clothes, jewelry, spas, lattes.
- Stay on top of your bills every month. Pick a date and go through your bank accounts, bills, and payments.
- Run your home like you are the CEO of a huge corporation.
- Don’t “invest” in get-rich-quick schemes. You will only wind up spending more money. When something sounds too good to be true, then it probably is just that: Too good to be true.
- Be happy with every small victory. Every payment that you make toward your debt brings you closer to freedom.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You are not alone in this journey.
- Don’t be ashamed of your situation. MOST of us have been exactly where you are at some point in our lives.
- And last but not least, SMILE. Life is going by too fast. Smile; you’re doing the right thing. Every small step is a step closer toward achieving your goals.
