Yeah, I love my job. This lockdown has made me realize how much I take my job for granted. I see advantage in each pain that I used to go through when I when to office every day. My long commute helped my with my fitness level what the hours of standing in crowded train and the numerous bridges that had to cross to reach office. There were times where I would think working from would be so convenient, but now I just think of the time I would share our light moments in office wherein all colleague would just around on slightest of hint of interesting conversation.
I don’t want to retire early. I realize this more than ever. I love going to office, my company and my colleague supportive. Work is challenging and I like what I do. I have a sense of achievement each day I come back home tired from commute but refreshed the moment I see my loved one’s faces 🙂
Why do I pursue Financial Independence when I am happy working?
You see, current situation that we are all in has made me realize nothing is permanent. Few months back, I would not have imagines that doing out would be a luxury in life. You cannot go out for a run when you what to.
That millions of people around the world would get Unemployed within weeks
I think that is enough reason to pursue Finzaadi. But there is much more to it. Let me explain.
1. Think change when you least expect
Current situation has shown how things can change. If it is not a pandemic it would be financial crisis or it could be a political crisis. You cannot predict the future and it is not in you control. The only thing you can do is keep yourself and your family prepared with enough buffer to survive till these storm passes. This is something our ancestors used to do and we should follow
2. You love your job but nothing is forever
Yes, right now everything seems to be in a good place. You like your job, college, company all is going well. But in my more than a decade year of experience I have see a lot of things change.
-Company gets taken over and the whole culture change. Extended work timing changes the culture drastically. All fun would stop and your manger’s attitude changes.
– Companies know to be paymasters suddenly changes track when a new CEO is appointed. Bye- Bye bonus.
– Never ending office politics changes the once pleasant job profile to a horrible one.
– And I could actually go on and on
3. Have a say in how you spend your time
It sounds like a simple thing but you are not in control if your own time. Time which is the most scare resource you have. You can earn everything else but you cannot earn back your time. So it is very logically to have a first say on how you use it right. Well, completely wrong. Think about it and you would realize that day out of 5 days out of 7 your company, your manager , your colleagues own your time. At times you have to do meaningless things even when you don’t want to.
Why? Because you are scared to say no, even when that is right thing to do. Pursuing financial freedom will allow you do things what you are good at.
4. Live life you way
Once you achieve Finzaadi, you will have the freedom to live your life the way you want to.
– You want to be an artist who doesn’t care for money (like you see in movies)
– Become an avid traveler who travels and learns local culture. (Not the one who takes city bus tours?)
– Or start an NGO to help educate local community
Options are endless. And just following up on this journey will keep opening more and more options
5. Start taking Risk in life
I know many of my friends who are risk averse. They don’t even respond to when they are presented with a new job opportunity with better pay and benefits.
Why – they are scared and don’t want to take any chance. Their view is I have worked in this company for 5 years and I know processes followed here. What if I don’t perform well in the new company? I would get fired in the probation period!
Now imagine the same situation when you have enough money saved for next 5 years. Would you take then chance. I think the answer would be a big yes.
Having sufficient financial backing helps a lot. Throughout my career I have seen people with strong financial background doing well in corporate world. Reason is they are not scared. They are not afraid of taking risk. Having a strong financial backing will help you pursue your dream job, negotiate better salary or start your own consulting services because now finances are no longer a barrier.
Finzaadi would help you like an umbrella. It will protect you in rain but helping you stays dry and will help you in scorching sun by keeping your head cool. I think these are enough reason to strive for it. It will give you freedom to design your life the way you want it to be. Life where you are in control of your own time.
6. Improve your fitness – Physical and mental
Today’s corporate world can be very taxing for both you physical and mental health. Lot of people enroll for yearly gym and yoga membership but due to stressful and all consuming corporate life they neither have the time or energy to actually engage in these activities. Being financially free would help in reducing the stress level to far lower and manageable levels. It will also help you priorities your health over and above your work target. You will be able to take care of yourself and it will automatically translate to better output in your professional life.
7. Change the mindset of lifestyle.
You cannot become financially independent if you don’t know how to manage money and manage your life style. Mindless consumption would become a distant thought and you would focus on things that actually create lasting happiness. It will teach you become more intentional with you spending.
-Maybe you don’t need a new phone every time it becomes slow. Try factory reset!
-Maybe you don’t need a big house in Mumbai because it will become a debt trap
-Maybe you don’t need to order from Swiggy/Zomato not since you now know that you can cook at home and it is not very difficult (lock down effect)
You will become aware that each decision to spend is not only parting with your hard earned money but it is a piece of freedom that you are letting slip out of your future self.
Once you are at a stage where you care less about money you will get wings. The only question that would remain is whether you want to fly.
