The 3 Things I Have Learned in My Personal Journey
Good things come in 3’s. And in this podcast episode, I get personal and share 3 key things that I have learned in my personal journey:
✨Money matters
✨Motivation matters
✨Tribe matters Money goes beyond numbers, representing dreams and values.
Motivation drives success by understanding your “why” and staying connected to your purpose. Surrounding yourself with a supportive tribe, both people and positive influences, is essential. Choose quality over quantity. By recognizing the importance of money, harnessing motivation, and embracing the right tribe, you can find fulfillment, and purpose, and achieve success on your financial journey.
Listen to “Episode #97- The 3 Things I Have Learned in My Personal Journey” now.
Show Notes:
Hey there, welcome back! This is episode 97. Time really flies, doesn’t it? Today’s podcast is going to be a bit more personal than usual. I’ll be sharing more about myself than I typically do. It’s not just about numbers, tax tips, and strategies. Today, we’re diving into what truly drives me and why I do what I do. My aim is to leave you with some motivation and inspiration to kickstart your own financial journey.
I must admit, I feel a bit uncomfortable right now. Sharing my story makes me a little nervous. Even though I wrote a book and those close to me already know my story, I still haven’t fully embraced sharing all the details about myself. I’d much rather hide behind spreadsheets and provide you with great strategic action items for your finances. Nevertheless, today I’ll be sharing how to reclaim what matters most to you. Through my own journey, I’ve come to realize the importance of reflecting on where you came from, where you want to go, and what truly matters to you in order to excel in what you do and be truly passionate about it.
It’s about infusing heart and soul into your business, personal life, and financial well-being. These aspects are all interconnected and intertwined. We know that money represents more than just dollars and cents. It encompasses our dreams, goals, past, and future. It requires delving deeper, peeling back the layers, and getting to the core of what truly matters.
Throughout my journey, I’ve learned a few valuable lessons, and it’s these lessons that I love sharing with my clients. I can be vulnerable and open up about my own experiences because if it helps you navigate your own path better, then that’s the key.
So, here are the three things I’ve learned: money matters, motivation matters, and your tribe matters. When these three elements come together, they create the perfect recipe for confidence and empowerment. Just imagine what we can accomplish with confidence and empowerment as our driving forces. The possibilities are limitless. But before I delve into these three specific aspects—your money, motivation, and tribe—I want to share a bit more about my personal journey and why I’m passionate about financial education.
In 2005, I found myself curled up on my kitchen floor, completely financially exposed and vulnerable. All I could think about was how I was going to support my two young daughters. My husband had left, and I had no financial identity of my own. Let me provide a little context. I got engaged at the age of 21, just after turning 22, and we were married soon after. Eight or nine months later, our first daughter arrived. We were broke but blissfully in love.
I remember writing my university final exam on my due date, surrounded by hundreds of students in a massive gymnasium. I have no idea how many students were there, but it was a huge space. I was one of the first students to finish, probably because I desperately needed to use the bathroom and was incredibly uncomfortable. However, I got stuck in the small desk and struggled to stand up. My oldest daughter was a big baby, weighing around nine pounds at birth, so I was quite large during my pregnancy. I almost walked out of that exam with the chair stuck to my behind. That memory marked the end of my university experience for many years, as I chose to stay home and raise my daughters while my husband pursued his career.
Sometime after that, our marriage hit a rough patch, and we eventually separated. That’s when I had to pick myself up off the kitchen floor. I found my first full-time job, finished my university degree, pursued further education, and worked on rebuilding my confidence and financial independence. Those years were pivotal for me, and a common theme emerged during my journey—money mattered, motivation was crucial in lifting myself off the floor, and my tribe, the people I surrounded myself with, played a significant role in my success.
Now, it’s important to note that I wasn’t an overnight success. Everything began in 2005, and that’s when I truly understood the importance of money. Since then, I’ve achieved a lot, but it hasn’t been without its fair share of ups and downs. I don’t want to give the impression that I had everything figured out perfectly all the time.
After my husband left, there was a period when things were challenging. Here’s a story that nobody knows except for you, my listeners. A few of my girlfriends jokingly suggested that I should get a tattoo. My parents laughed along, thinking it was just a joke. However, I ended up walking into a tattoo parlor, tears streaming down my face. The tattoo artist was finishing up with another customer, and I hadn’t made any prior arrangements. He noticed me crying in the corner and said he would help me in a moment. He probably thought it would be a quick job. While he had other new customers waiting, I was sobbing and crying the whole time. He would occasionally pause and ask if I was in too much pain, and I would reply, “No, it’s just my heart breaking.” I made a complete fool of myself, and it wasn’t a pleasant experience for anyone in that busy tattoo parlor. Eventually, he finished the tattoo, and as I fumbled through my purse, still in tears, he asked if I was okay to drive. I reassured him that I was fine, and he simply said, “It’s on the house,” probably just wanting me to leave and stop scaring away his customers. And that’s how I ended up with a tattoo on my wrist. I look at it every day, and although I’m not proud of the story behind it, it’s become an integral part of my journey.
So here’s the good news: after two years of separation and going through the process of rebuilding my life by finding a job and returning to university, my husband and I reconciled. It wasn’t an easy journey, with its fair share of ups and downs, but we worked hard to make it happen.
During this time, I built a career and found my passion in finance because I recognized the importance of financial empowerment. My family was happy, and I began working with a fantastic company, but something still felt missing. Like many women, I found myself making money for a male-dominated company, helping others climb the ladder. Don’t get me wrong, I had no problem putting in the hard work, but there came a point where I realized that I needed to stand in my own power.
That’s when I decided to start my own financial planning firm, Astro Financial. I was fortunate to have amazing mentors who provided me with love and encouragement as I ventured out on my own. I vividly remember looking at myself in an almost identical gray suit as my male counterparts, realizing that I didn’t need to fit into this male-dominated world. I needed to be true to myself. Starting my own business allowed me to do just that, and it was guided by the understanding that money, motivation, and tribe all play crucial roles in success.
Of course, there were skeptics who questioned why I would leave a lucrative position at my previous firm. They asked why I would want to work longer hours and take risks, suggesting that starting a business would take time away from my family. These comments were often directed at me, and I couldn’t help but wonder if the same would have been said if I were a man. To prove my point, I jokingly say that I wrote a book, although that’s not the sole reason. But it did provide an extra boost of motivation. I wrote the book because it’s what I needed over a decade ago when I found myself broken on that kitchen floor. I wished someone had handed me a book, and offered motivation and support during that difficult time. This realization of having the power to shape my own destiny and the understanding that money is more than just dollars and cents drove me to help others navigate their financial journeys.
So here are the three key points I want you to take away from today’s discussion: First, money matters, but not just in terms of the numbers in your bank account. It’s about what that money represents for you. As a financial planner, part of my job is to help clients map out what their money can do for them and why it’s important. Everyone will have a different answer, and it’s crucial to connect your money to your soul, finding your own truth and enjoyment in its significance.
Next, motivation matters. Understanding your “why” and your soul’s purpose is essential. In my case, it’s leading a revolution to help people achieve their economic potential and retire with confidence. What is your why? Clarifying your purpose in life will help guide your financial decisions. I’ve experienced the power of having a clear mission statement in my business, which eliminates uncertainty and empowers both myself and my staff to make confident decisions aligned with our purpose.
Finally, your tribe matters. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who share your values and goals is crucial. In my own family, we went through a values exercise together and set a clear mission, which helped us align our financial decisions. Having a supportive tribe simplifies life and brings clarity to decision-making, as you can ask yourself if a choice aligns with your mission and purpose.
So, in summary, knowing that money, motivation, and tribe all play integral roles in success will simplify your financial journey and help you make decisions that are aligned with your purpose and values.
The third takeaway I want to emphasize today is the importance of tribe. Throughout human history, we have thrived in close-knit circles, living and working together, protecting one another. So why would we want to navigate life alone? We are inherently wired for collaboration. In both business and life, my motto is quality over quantity. Surround yourself with people who support, motivate, and uplift you. As your financial planner, it’s my role to be your financial steward, coach, and cheerleader. I’m here to motivate and help you become the best version of yourself. We all need that kind of support. Therefore, it’s crucial to surround yourself with the right people and be clear about what you need from them.
You’ve probably heard the saying that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. This highlights the importance of choosing your companions wisely. However, your tribe doesn’t only consist of people—it also includes what you expose yourself to, such as the content you consume, the books you read, the videos you watch, and the information you engage with on social media. Be mindful that these inputs align with your goals and aspirations. Remember, it’s about quality, not quantity.
Money, motivation, and tribe have played significant roles in my personal journey. They helped me rise from the kitchen floor, expand my own company, and write a book. They have shaped me into the expert I am today and contributed to my current success. Throughout it all, my drive was not solely focused on money, as my true currency was not the physical dollars. Instead, my motivation was genuine and powerful, and my tribe was a source of strength that provided me with confidence and encouragement when I needed it most. By working on these three aspects, I have not only built financial stability but also achieved personal growth and fulfillment.
So, as you embark on your financial journey, consider the significance of money, motivation, and tribe. I hope you find the motivation to elevate your professional, personal, and financial endeavors. Thank you for allowing me to share my story and thoughts with you. Until next week, take care.
