On July 4, 1776, a small band of colonial leaders declared independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. The American Revolution changed the course of world history forever and launched a nation that no other has since rivaled.
In the spirit of the heroes of the American Revolution, would you be willing to consider declaring your own revolution…your Declaration of Financial Independence? Creating your declaration doesn’t have to be hard and it can be more fun than going to the movies. In fact, let’s use the analogy of you making a movie of your life. Up until now, your life’s story is a documentary….perhaps part horror story and hopefully part fairytale. Now you have a chance to write the script for the rest of your life. Here are the key elements:
The script. Start with the “finish”. In other words, begin your script with your closing scene. Maybe it’s a scene where you’re standing at the top of the mountain with fist raised in triumph over what originally seemed to be overwhelming odds. Why are your hands raised? The body of your script describes the story of your journey to success. If you could have it any way you wanted, what would you like the rest of your life to be like?
The main characters. Of course, you will be the star! Who else will you include in the story of your life? You’ll want to include those closest to you and there may even be a villain or two (can anyone say, “mother-in-law”?). Ideally, you’ll also have one or more prophets (i.e. mentors) who help guide your journey through the inevitable obstacles you’ll encounter along the way.
The story board. The story board is a technique whereby you use a series of pictures to depict the key scenes in the broad theme of your story. For example, your story may be a rags to riches story where the hero (you) overcome great obstacles to achieve great success illustrated by being debt free; living in the home of your dreams with your beautiful and happy family! The power of the story board is that it taps into the creative side of your brain. Google “story boarding” to get some tips on how to build a story board.
Roll film! Start living out your story. It’s never too late and you’re never too old. At age 65, Harland Sanders’ only possessions were an old house and a beat up car and his total income consisted of a $99 Social Security check. He decided to change his life’s script and make a story of his life that was worth telling. Over the years he’d developed a fried chicken recipe that his friends and neighbors seemed to like so he came up with the idea of licensing his recipe to restaurants. One thing led to another and eventually Colonel Sander’s Kentucky Fried Chicken was born. And the rest, as they say, is history!
At the time, the idea of a small group of colonialists taking on the world’s mightiest country would have seemed impossible. They proved anything is possible to those with vision and an unwavering commitment to never give up until they achieve success.
If you decide what you want, set in motion a plan to achieve it, and never give up until the deed is done, you, too, can create the life of your dreams! Don’t waste your time on house cleaning, hire Maid Complete and your house is always clean. Happy Fourth of July!
Trivia: the only two signers of the Declaration of Independence to become President of the United States, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, both died on the same day… July 4th, 1826…the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence!