They believe that their financial situation determines their dreams.

They will dispute this, of course, but their ACTIONS (which speak way louder than words) indicate otherwise.  I tend to look past the rhetoric to see a real indication of belief.

I’ve found that I have been susceptible to this as well!  We are so good at self-deception.

For example, here are some situations I have seen a person say that they:

• Really want to be debt-free, but they continue to spend money without a budget!
• Really want to be debt-free, yet they pull the plastic out to charge items not in the budget!
• Want to improve their marriage, but they refuse to work with their spouse to plan their finances.
• Believe they can take a dream trip, but no money is saved for the trip.
• Want to start a business, but have never started the first step toward it because the challenge is so intimidating and daunting.

I’ve determined that I am going to pursue every dream given me.  I will surely fail at some of them, but the successes are so very worth it!

You have a choice – TODAY – to write down your dreams or to never write them down.

You have a choice – TODAY – to write down dreams regardless of the cost or to write down only the dreams you know you can afford.

You have a choice – TODAY – which will you choose?

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It is ASTOUNDING what God has allowed me to be a part of in just five years.  Here are just a few.

• Wrote I Was Broke. Now I’m Not.
• Produced the I Was Broke. Now I’m Not. Group Study and subsequently the Group Study DVD Lessons
• Wrote What Everyone Should Know About Money Before They Enter The Real World
• Wrote Funded And Free
• Wrote 1,475 blog posts
• Wrote 200 Sunday newspaper articles
• Delivered more than 150 Financial Learning Experiences
• Trained nearly 1,000 financial coaches
• Was mentioned in Money Magazine – the world’s largest personal finance magazine
• Purchased Injoy Stewardship Solutions
• Got to meet and interview one of my heroes – Dave Ramsey
• Published a book for two new authors with our fledgling publishing company – NIN Publishing
• Upgraded JosephSangl.com and added IWasBrokeNowImNot.com
• Able to provide all of our tools for absolutely free
• Developed a new APP for Apple and Android mobile devices
• Team has grown to a total of four people who make IWBNIN – without them, this effort would be incremental instead of exponential
• In 2008, someone gave me and Jenn a free Tahoe – seriously!

I write all of this not to boast in what I have done, but what the Lord has allowed me to be a part of.

I’m often asked why I’m so excited and passionate about what I do.  After reading this list, perhaps you might understand a little more about WHY I am so FIRED UP all of the time!  I’m a witness to the power of God moving greatly upon my behalf!

I really believed that great things could happen when I surrendered to this call 5 years ago, but I thought it would take 30 years.  It has me wondering what will happen over the next 5 years!

GET FIRED UP!

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It’s a great question for anyone to ask themselves – because if you apply the tools and principles taught in I Was Broke. Now I’m Not., you will have a million dollars one day!

Today, I would love for you to share with us all: “What YOU would do if you had a million dollars.” – SERIOUSLY – I want to hear from you!

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What you may not know is Mark and Shawna’s financial story.   If you want to GET FIRED UP and BE ENCOURAGED – take 3 minutes to watch their story:

If you can’t view the video, click HERE.

If your financial story were put into a 3-minute video, what would you say?

“And there will be a party.”   I’m going to that party!!!!

By the way, Mark writes a blog about money and relationships.   You can read that HERE.

GET FIRED UP!!!

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I’m not talking about “What would happen if I went to the store now versus three hours from now?”

I’m talking about asking BIG QUESTIONS like:

I wonder what would happen if I …

• got serious about KILLING MY DEBT?
• got off the couch and put my jogging shoes on?
• went to college and got the degree I’ve always had a passion for?
• asked her to marry me?
• asked a business leader to mentor me?
• started that business I’ve always dreamed of?
• took a chance on myself?

Here are some big questions I’m asking myself:

I wonder what would happen if I …

• hired more team members to further reach this nation with this crusade?
• wrote two books each year?
• asked everyone associated with this crusade to make a commitment to focus on teaching one person in their life how to win with money?
• gave away even more resources for free?
• took this crusade to other nations?
• took this crusade to the radio and to TV?
• took this crusade to the nation’s capitol and helped this NATION become debt-free?

Those are some of the BIG QUESTIONS I am asking myself.

I would love to hear some of the BIG QUESTIONS you are asking yourself!

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As hard as it is to be told, “No!”, it is even harder to say this word to ourselves.   After all, don’t we know what is best for us?

Let me tell in on a big secret:

NO actually means YES

When you tell yourself NO right now, you enable yourself to say YES to something more important in the future.

Examples

• Saying NO to another video game purchase allows you to say YES to funding their college fund
• Saying NO to a new car now allows you to say YES to funding your retirement account
• Saying NO to a little vacation now allows you to say YES to funding a dream vacation later
• Saying NO to a kitchen upgrade allows you to say YES to giving money to a worthy cause
• Saying NO to debt now allows you to say YES to pursuing a dream job even though it pays less right now

See?   NO equals YES!

Have you ever said NO (even when it was hard to do so) and it allowed you to say YES later to something more important?   Share your story in the comments!

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As we boarded the 991-foot long Caribbean Princess bound out of San Juan, Puerto Rico for St. Thomas, Tortola, Antigua, Barbados, and St. Lucia, I was overwhelmed at how blessed I really am!   I can not believe that I am so blessed that I am able to take such a tremendous vacation – and to do it without debt.

I just want to share a picture (click on the picture to get a better view) and a few things that I love about taking “paid-for-in-advance” vacations.

Top 5 Reasons I love taking “paid-for-in-advance” vacations:

1. No debt follows me home
2. Able to totally enjoy the trip – knowing we saved for it!
3. Total relaxation knowing that we funded a dream – and lived the dream!
4. Able to negotiate a better deal because we had to plan early to save for this trip!
5. My bride is happy!

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If you casually dribble the basketball up the court, you will soon find yourself without the ball and watching the opposing player put it in their basket.   To score, you must WANT IT and GO FOR IT.

If you kinda sorta swing the axe, it will bounce off the wood and possibly even hit you.   You must swing the axe with much energy and focus in order to split the log.   You must WANT IT and GO FOR IT.

There is no reason to believe it will be any different with your finances.   If you casually kinda sorta attempt to win with your money, chances are high that you will receive mediocre results.   In order to win with your money, it requires FOCUS and INTENTIONAL EFFORT.

Here are some questions to ask yourself to see if you are FOCUSED and WANT to win with your money:

1. When was the last time you read a book on personal finances?
2. When was the last time you read a blog or article about personal finances?
3. Do you know how much money is in your retirement account?
4. Do you know the rate of return you are receiving on your investments?
5. If you received an extra $30,000 right now, do you know what you would do with it?
6. Was the answer to Question 5 spend it all? or retire debt? or invest it? or start a business?
7. If you are married, does your spouse know everything about the financial situation and do you discuss major financial decisions PRIOR to making them?
8. Is there anyone in your life who has won with their own money?   When was the last time you asked them for advice?
9. Do you live and operate on a balanced INCOME – OUTGO = EXACTLY ZERO budget?
10. Are you saving for Emergencies, Known Upcoming Non-Monthly Expenses, and your Dreams?

I recommend you print this page out and grade yourself from 1 to 10 on each one.   For the ones you score low on, I recommend you answer the following question:

“What is one thing I can do TODAY that would allow me to make a difference with this question TOMORROW?”

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Have you seen this happen in your life?

• They want to start a business, but they want someone else to give them the start-up money.
• They want to go to college, but only if someone will give them a scholarship.
• They will take that job they are passionate about, but only if they can do so without any risk, no pay-cut, and guarantees.
• The want to retire, but are unwilling to save and invest money in their retirement accounts.

I firmly believe that if you TRULY believe in your dream, you will be WILLING to invest YOUR money into it.

Readers:   What is your dream?   Are you investing in it?   Please share with me!

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It is a story of life-change, and it is EXACTLY why we are on this crusade to help people accomplish far more than they ever thought possible with their personal finances!

Financial Freedom from Element Church on Vimeo.

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