Elephants don't bite!

Ever bitten by an Elephant? How about a Mosquito or an Ant? It’s the little things in life that bite us the most. It’s the frequent, small & seemingly inconsequential choices that make or break us in the long term. Its the small choices that we make without giving deliberate thoughts, that dictate outcomes for our health and well being, family and relationships and also our finances.

Compounding is the eight wonder of the world. If we keep doing what we do regularly, over a period of time, it will amplify the results in the long run. But it can work both ways. If we consciously make small good choices, it will bring big positive changes. But unaware, if we continue to make small bad choices, it will bring big negative changes.

First step towards change is awareness. Be aware and conscious of the choices we make regularly, especially the small ones. For example someone who is trying to get leaner, can consciously cut 100-200 calories from his normal diet, deliberately walk couple of thousand steps more than normal. These small doable steps would most likely bring results in the long run, if done consistently.

Let me share my experience. I love walking. It has been my healthy habit since many years now. On an average I walked about four hours a week, which was good enough to maintain my weight for years. But I wanted to get a little leaner and so consciously decided to start walking on an average five hours a week. Just a hour more of walking every week. In two years I have lost 7 Kgs. Easy doable steps taken consistently will almost every time beat fancy difficult steps in the long run!

In Finance, we all know the importance of Investments. But we need decent Savings to invest for long term. Decent savings allows us not only to invest but also to give sufficient time to investments, long enough for the magic of compounding to work wonders.

Here is a tip to be able to save & invest more from our existing income, start Tracking expenses! Keep tab of saving account, credit card statements and also cash expenses. Lets get more aware and conscious of our spending choices. Idea is to be frugal and not miserly. Try to identify money leaks, be proactive with money. Find areas to save where there is clear waste.

Tracking is a simple exercise. It works because it brings moment to moment awareness to the actions we take in areas of our life, which we want to improve. What gets measured gets done. So lets start tracking, how much we eat and drink, how much we exercise, how much we meditate, how much time we spend to improve a skill, time spent on social media, how much we spend, save and invest.

Write down few small, seemingly inconsequential steps you can take, that can take your life in positive direction. Then consciously do it daily! Write down few small, seemingly inconsequential actions you can stop doing, that is taking your life in negative direction. Then consciously avoid it daily!

Start Tracking!