This Fourth of July I lounged in my backyard and took some well needed down time. I sank into my Adirondack chair, soaked up the warm air, had a large glass of ice tea and settled in to read a good book. My goal was to get lost in a book and savor the day. Summer in Wisconsin is so very precious; actually every single day is precious.
In July my garden comes alive. In winter it looks desolate but in July it bursts into color. The daylilies start to bloom – yellow, orange and red. They start their display after the daffodils, tulips, iris, wild daisies, peonies, and other flowers that I have forgotten their names have exhausted themselves. It amazes how much color I get when I spend such little time in my garden now. The perennials have rooted themselves and deliver the riot of color every year.
What if success is like a perennial garden? You spend lots of time learning what grows best where. You prepare the foundation, plant it and watch it carefully the first year or two to make sure it takes root. Then just apply a little loving care every year to nurture it.
Each of us can achieve financial success. The United State Declaration of Independence states “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that amoung these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” This lays the groundwork for each of us to pursuit financial success.
So how do I start? First acknowledge your fears and self-imposed limitations. Second learn the basic principles. Determine what type of approach or investment will work best for you. Third organize current finances to determine where you are at now. Dream and define what financial success means to you. Finally take action – one step at a time. Nothing happens unless you act.
I would not be able to enjoy the riot of color in my backyard if I never planted the first flowers.
Mary Guldan-Lindstrom
