Almost 4 years ago…
I’m sitting at the airport. I just missed my flight to Denver, Colorado. I am supposed to go there to learn about a new health challenge that could help eliminate obesity. I used to have a great job in high tech, but I got laid off. I decided to start working with a handful of small businesses to take care of their technology needs. I am not even making enough money to cover my expenses yet, but the business is growing and I am hopeful. Either way, I used all my points (totaling $800) on this flight and the ticket desk is telling me that it will cost another $900 to get to Denver today.
I can’t afford to spend the money…
Wait… did I just say that?
I first learned about the challenge about a month ago… and it sounds amazing. Everyone around me is overweight and I can’t think of one person who is getting healthier. If this challenge is able to turn the trend, then I could make millions. Still, I haven’t spent one second sharing it with anyone. I’m so busy trying to get my computer business off the ground.
I can’t afford to spend the time…
Oh no… I just said it again!
What is wrong with me? I have no extra money. I have no extra time. I’m sitting in an airport with a chance to go learn about something that could make me millions and give me my time back and I can’t afford it?
What if my car broke down? What if I had a health scare that wasn’t covered by insurance? I would find the money. I have spent thousands last year on eating out, pubs, TV, movies, sporting events, computer equipment and gadgets that I didn’t even need… I found the money for that.
What I’m really saying is that I can’t afford to waste time and money. If I’m going to spend my time and my money I want to make it worth it. I feel that the car, food and fun will be worth it, so I find the money. I know what to expect.
This ‘health challenge’ is an unknown. Is it going to work? Are people going to try it?
Back to the airport… I think to myself. In 5 years from now… if I still have no extra time and no extra money… How do I want to look back on today? Do I want to talk about how I wasted a couple grand trying to change the world and it didn’t work? Do I want to regret not spending the couple grand for a chance at changing the world and my life?
I can live with my mistakes. I’ve made plenty and I’ve spent thousands on weekends that I barely remember… I do not want to live with regrets. I can’t afford to miss a chance to get myself out of debt. I can’t afford to miss a chance to free my time so that I don’t have to work like a slave until I’m 65 and miss my son’s life.
I spent the $900. That $2000 dollar trip has earned me close to a quarter million in almost 4 years.
Albert Einstein once said; “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
If you have no time and no money then can you afford to be in the same position next year? If not, then it is time to start spending your time and money differently.
