In 2020, when COVID hit and we all had to work remotely, one of my classes required creating a vision board. My vision board required that I take the bold step towards getting a graduate degree, something I have been hoping to do since I finished my undergraduate programme over 20 years ago. I have a plan to start my own school with the aim of developing teenagers and youths to develop their passion and nurture entrepreneurial skills. However, even though I had a plan written, I was no closer to it.
By the next year, 2021, I had gotten admission to study for. a Masters in Entrepreneurship programme, and for some reason, other parts of the vision board started falling into place. I basically had it in my face almost all the time. It was, and still is, the wall paper on my laptop and phones, as well as the lock screen. So I had to look at it and be reminded every time I was on my phone or laptop, which was and is a better part of my day.
One of my achievements was to start a saving and investment culture. For a long time, ever since I started working for myself, I would make money and spend it. The only thing I invested in was myself, getting additional knowledge, buying books, going to seminars, and taking short courses.
But one of the goals on my vision board was to save 20% of everything I earn. It wasn’t easy, let me tell you that. When I started, I would go back and dip into the pot of gold. Then I would have to refund it because I’d tell myself it was a loan. After a while, I moved the savings and locked it so I could save but couldn’t deduct until a particular date, If I was tempted to dip into it by unlocking it before the maturity date, there was a fine of 20%, which I really couldn’t afford to pay. So, the money gradually grew to an amount high enough to withdraw upon maturity after 18 months to buy land. That was my first investment. Then I started saving again, and when my friend told me about another investment opportunity, I was ready to make another withdrawal or lock, but I invested. The investment gets me a weekly ROI, which I save without fail. That, plus my 20%, is building up for another investment.
This is a tested and trusted model that anyone can use for any number of purposes, be it for investment, towards your child’s university education, building or buying a house, or starting your business. You name it, set a date, and work with a percentage of your income that you are comfortable with. I have to tell you that at first you will be really tempted to dip into the “pot of gold,” as I call it, but with focus and determination, you will get there.
Another thing for me is that every time I save, I get a notification, and I can see the steady climb of my investment. This gives me a kind of joy, which in turn gives me the strength and determination to continue.
This is my path to financial freedom and independence. This independence has given me some perspective and enough freedom that I can focus on what matters enough to start working on how to achieve my dream of starting the entrepreneurship academy.
What is your model for financial independence? Share in the comment section and let us learn together. What plans do you have in place to make your dream a reality? Don’t wait till the investor drops in your lap, start where you are and then reach out for that help. It’s easier to pitch an idea to an investor when you have built it into a viable product or service.