Keeping Your Head After Losing Your Job by Robert L. Leahy

Author:Robert L. Leahy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Behler Publications, LLC

8: How can this help you establish better values and more self-discipline?

I think it is realistic to say that you are very likely to get another job and get your finances back on track. Almost everyone eventually gets back to work. I know this might seem overly optimistic to some readers, but that’s what the facts tell us. But I want you to consider looking beyond the immediate situation to the bigger picture in your life. This involves two—related—issues: having more self-discipline when it comes to money, and setting the right values for your life.

Self-discipline

In every chapter in this book there is a message about self-discipline. It includes making your job getting a job, taking care of yourself, having activity schedules every day, pulling your weight at home with chores and support, being a better parent and partner, reaching out to the larger community, helping others, and making sure that you have a regular self-care program of exercise and diet. And money is now on your list of self-discipline.

We all spend more than we need to—often not saving anything in any given year. It’s absurd. When you get your next job, keep in mind that keeping a budget, economizing, being more mindful of what you spend, thinking about what you need vs. what you prefer, escaping the treadmill of competitive spending and status-seeking are lessons for life. Don’t just use them during the time between jobs. Use this for the rest of your life. Keep money in perspective as a means to buy things that you actually need, rather than what is on sale, what is convenient, or what makes you feel better for the moment. The best way to stretch your money is not to spend it.

This doesn’t mean that you are deprived. It means that you get smart about money.

Setting the right values for life

Think about what you really value. I have pitted materialism against human needs and values. You, your kids, and your partner need love, understanding, appreciation, time together, and the ability to have fun. These are generally free and readily available. You can get your mind around the issue of money by doing the mental exercise, Visualize Losing Everything, that I described on page 134—imagine it has all been taken away. If you start each day with appreciating what you already have—especially the relationships, your senses, the freedom, and the ability to grow and learn—then you are a richer person. If you chase after money as a way of defining your “worth,” then you will find yourself chasing the wind. You will find yourself alone, lost and empty. The decision is yours.

EXERCISE: YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MONEY FOR THE FUTURE

Look ahead to when you will be earning again and think about your changed attitude to money:

• What if you changed your attitude towards money after you go back to work?

• In what ways could you be more self-disciplined?

• How could you change your priorities so that you get more meaning out of life?

• How can you

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