How Managing Your Money Can Make You Happy
Does managing your finances bring you and your family happiness?
You are probably thinking: Josh are you insane? I do my best NOT to think about my finances. Discussing finances brings on stress and tension with my partner, not happiness.
Josh, what is your definition of happiness?
Defining Happiness
Happiness is the joy felt while pursuing one’s full potential.
Let’s break it down a bit, starting from the end of the sentence.
You can’t reach your full potential, if you haven’t defined your goals.
“One’s full potential” is something that we all want to achieve, to be our best self. We want to be engaged in doing things that makes us shine our brightest. It is what all of our short/mid/long term goals should add up to.
“Pursuing” happiness is not something that is given to you. You have to pursue it. You have to work for it. In the U.S. Declaration of Independence it says “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. There is “work” involved and work is not easy. Often people don’t achieve it, it’s ephemeral in their minds.
“Joy” is something that we all want to experience… a big smile from our child, a loving embrace from our partners, shared laughter with friends.
a common pitfall I see with henry’s
Many of the HENRY’s I meet are not intentional with their money. Being financially comfortable, lulls them into a false sense of financial security.
a “henry” Is
a High Earner Not Rich Yet
As a result, they aren’t making progress towards their goals. Often they haven’t even defined their goals. And if you haven’t defined your goals, you can’t reach your full potential.
HENRY’s often feel confused and let down when they take stock of their lives. They don’t understand how despite their high income, their growing investments and net worth, they still feel something lacking. At work they keep taking on more responsibility, growing their income and yet, they have nothing to show for it at the end of the year, except for a few fancy vacation memories on their Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Being intentional with your finances, will, in fact, lead to happiness. If you work towards investing your money thoughtfully in a personal set of goals, you will be working towards your full potential. Think of those vacations in the context of the fun you will spend with family. Rather than the context of “escaping” work. It is a subtle mindset adjustment, but one of those is actually working towards a greater goal.
are you ready to be happy?
Are you ready to pursue your full potential? I help HENRY’s define their personal goals, create a plan to get to achieve those goals and intentionally manage their money. Contact me for a free consultation to discuss your game plan.