“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.” – Mark Twain

We have done a lot of driving lately. Well actually I have done a lot of sitting in the passenger seat as hubby loves driving. It gives me time to look at the scenery, read and listen to the kids fight.

A couple of articles I came across were of people who had changed their lives drastically. One went from being a very sedentary person who was hugely over weight to a fit healthy person running long distances. Another took a leap of faith and gave up their long standing career to start a business organising women’s travel tours.

It got me thinking. What is the trigger? How does a person who doesn’t exercise and is overweight suddenly find the motivation or will to change? How does a person find the faith or courage to make a big life change? Is the thought like a seed that grows into a blooming flower that can no longer be ignored.

I used to run. I still do occasionally but not like I did. The hardest part of going for a run is getting your shoes on and going. Always the start. Never the end, that’s the euphoric bit.

So is they key just starting with a small simple step like Mark Twain said? I guess if you are consistent then it will grow like a tumble weed.

Where does this idea leave me? What small step would I like to start with or what small steps have I started that I want to be consistent with a have continued growth in.

Last year was a year of reflection and while I learned a lot about myself and know that I want to progress towards an element of financial freedom and early retirement. I have a time line in mind but what simple steps can I take that will help develop the skills I need to get there?

As always lots of questions and never many answers.

Financially I think that if we continue with our relatively frugal lifestyle then we will be on track.

But where we will live and what our life will look like is where I want to begin to see some growth. Time to perhaps delve into what different lifestyles look like. A slightly rural life has always tickled my thoughts. Maybe we will be one of those urban families that sell everything up and move off grid. Who knows?