Recently, I've noticed that I spend a lot of my day looking down. Not in relation to other people, but physically looking down at where my feet are going. Almost every step is watched to ensure nothing trips me up.
I occurred to me that doing so isn't necessary and possibly keeping me from better pursuing larger goals.
That last bit is a little weird though. See when I am looking down as I walk, I'm overly preoccupied with what is directly in front of me. I'm thinking, somewhat subconsciously, that something will manifest to trip me up so I need to watch where my feet are going at all times. In another way it distracts me from building the skill of focusing on a different, longer term goal. In just walking down a hallway, my brain wants to be distracted with constantly changing or moving images. My brain acts as though focusing on just the wall or destination down the hall is something to be avoided.
I've realized recently that this is a mindset that isn't helpful. In the many years I've been doing this, nothing has appeared suddenly that has tripped me up. On the contrary, I've sometimes tried to arrive at the wrong destination because I wasn't focused on where I was going. Now, I'm trying to walk with my head up focused on the goal instead of down, worrying about my steps.
We do this with money as well. Our thoughts and actions can be so focused on the small steps or the small changes in our budget or spending habits that we may miss bigger opportunities for change and growth. How much of your budget seems "non-negotiable" to the point you are shaving dollars and cents off other categories to eventually save up for a new door in about 10 years?
This weekend, I challenge you to think of bigger goals and set your mind to how you can reach those more than you focus on the individual steps. You may find, somewhat quickly, that some of those "non-negotiable" things are not nearly as important when compared to a bigger and more desirable goal.