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JUST THREE THINGS

Deliberate focus in conjunction with knowledge and executing a plan with discipline can create financial independence.

DELIBERATE FOCUS

This refers to having written goals. It means discovering what you want and defining it clearly. What is financial independence anyway? It means having a source of income that sustains your lifestyle without having to directly work for it. It means your income and the work you put out are "independent" factors; you've broken that correlation. I like the SMART goal setting. Be sure the goal is:

Specific - be clear and detailed
Measurable - if you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time -Zig Ziglar
Actionable - it needs to be in your control
Realistic - it needs to be challenging, but feasible
Time-Framed - when is just as important as what, why, and how

KNOWLEDGE

After you know what you want, how are you going to get there? Go out an educate yourself so that you are smart enough to formulate a plan on how to reach the goal. A good starting point for acquiring any information is to study the people who have already achieved the goal you've set for yourself. If you want to be financially independent, find out what rich people do. Read and seek mentors. For a start, read the books "The Millionaire Next Door" and "The Millionaire Mind". Here's one obvious tip I've learned; spend less than you make and do smart things to invest and grow the remainder. Tweak and change the plan as time goes on as you get smarter!

EXECUTE THE PLAN WITH DISCIPLINE

Knowing what you want and having knowledge of how to get it does nothing for you unless you follow the plan. Some of the smartest people in the world have never made their mark because they weren't willing to put forth the effort to apply themselves. Systems are helpful, if you can automate parts of your plan it will go along way towards keeping you on track. Coaches and partners are also helpful; find someone who cares about you enough to tell you to wake up and smell the coffee. Keep your eye on the goal. Your written goal will help motivate you by taking it out and reviewing/updating it regularly.

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