There are many great ways to work smart and not hard, you just need to change your mindset. As a critical reminder, it is not how much money you make, but how much you spend.
Most Americans, for example, spend all of their paycheck and save none of it. Get into the habit of saving 20% of each paycheck instead of blowing it. Being financially literate with money will allow you to become more responsible with spending.
The average American saves less than 5% of their income, while the global average is closer to 10%. This lack of saving money can lead to financial instability and stress, especially during emergencies.
By making a conscious effort to save a portion of your earnings, you create a safety net and build a foundation for future financial goals, like buying a home or investing in your own business.
Putting money as a top priority will ultimately lead to the sad reality that it is not everything. Sure, money may buy you material items and temporary happiness, but it will never fill the empty void many of us have.
The idea that money defines success and who you are is a belief that most fall for. These things do not determine who you are, but rather what society thinks of you.
How often do you purchase something just to impress others or because you feel societal pressure to own it?
This constant chase for external validation can be exhausting and ultimately unfulfilling. True happiness and self-worth come from within; from pursuing your passions, building meaningful relationships, and contributing to something larger than yourself.
If you are the type of person that does not care what society thinks then why are you working so hard to buy items to impress them?
The Path to Materialism
Materialism is characterized by a focus on acquiring and possessing material items. It is often driven by the belief that these things bring happiness, status, and fulfillment.
Many times materialistic people catch themselves in a non-stop race for more stuff. Eventually, they find out that more stuff creates more problems and it can be hard to constantly maintain their current lifestyle.
The wanting of more stuff requires making more money which your current job may not offer. Now, you have to decide on starting over with another company, obtaining a second job, or starting your own venture.
Prioritizing materialism eliminates what matters in life. If your only goal in life is to acquire material items in exchange for happiness, prepare for it to be a constant, everlasting battle.
Always ask yourself if you need a certain item or want to spend valuable time trying to obtain it. Once that item is obtained, it is usually on to the next items on the list. It never ends.
People may be drawn to materialism for a variety of reasons, including:
- Social pressure. Society often equates success and happiness with material wealth, leading people to believe they need to acquire more things to be happy.
- Advertising and media. The constant bombardment of advertising and media messages can create a sense of dissatisfaction with what people have and create a desire for more.
- Emotional void. Some people may turn to materialism to fill an emotional void in order to cope with feelings of insecurity or inadequacy.
This concept often focuses on acquiring possessions as a measure of success, while minimalism emphasizes living with less and prioritizing experiences and personal growth over material wealth.
By shifting your focus from material possessions to experiences and personal development, you can gain more fulfillment in life.
Preferring Minimalism
Conversely, minimalism is characterized by a focus on living with less and prioritizing experiences over possessions. It is often driven by a desire for greater freedom, simplicity, and intentionality.
If you find materialism impossible to keep up with, then consider trying minimalism When living a minimalistic life, you can focus on things that actually matter, like health, family, and faith.
Most people only want physical stuff and avoid the harsh reality that none of that matters. The truth is when you analyze what you want in life and not what other people expect, only then can you change your working mindset.
Living a minimalistic life is much more enjoyable and stress-free than you can imagine. Saving is your new hobby and becoming obsessed with it is a goal worth obtaining.
You may be living a minimalistic lifestyle, but at least you have a nice down payment for a house. Save your money to spend it on something worth value and not on a car that loses half its value the second you drive off the lot.
Those who enjoy a minimal lifestyle will benefit from the following:
- Financial freedom. Minimalism can free people from the burden of excessive possessions and allow them to focus on what is truly important to them.
- Environmental concerns. Living minimalistically can be a way to reduce one’s environmental impact by consuming less.
- Personal growth. This can be a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, as people learn to let go of attachments to material things.
Stop trying to impress other people and start impressing yourself. If you can impress yourself with living a minimalistic lifestyle, then you are better off than the majority. You are in your own life race, not somebody else’s.
Related Article: “How to Change Your Relationship with Money“
Balancing Life and Work
Balancing life and work is an ongoing challenge for many people. Finding this proper balance can be impossible if you do not know where to start.
Deciding on what you want out of life and not what others pressure you into is the first place to start. Sometimes you will need to delegate your work to focus on yourself. This is easier to obtain when you have your own business and therefore more leeway.
Working your life away for money can be silly, especially considering the lengths people will go to appease their boss. If you are looking for a better life-work balance, here are some tips:
- Prioritize. Identify what is most important to you and make time for those things. This may mean scheduling time for family, friends, hobbies, or self-care.
- Set boundaries. Create boundaries between work and personal life. Try setting limits on work hours, not checking email after work, or taking regular breaks throughout the day.
- Delegate and outsource. Avoid being afraid to delegate tasks at work or outsource tasks at home. Learn to free up time and focus on what is most important.
- Practice self-care. Always take care of your physical and mental health. Getting regular exercise, eating healthy, sleeping enough, and practicing mindfulness or meditation is very beneficial.
- Be present. When you are at work, focus on work. When you are at home, focus on your personal life. Avoid multitasking and be fully present in the moment.
Finding the right balance between life and work is a personal journey. What works for one person may not work for another. It is important to experiment and find what works best for you.
Remember, it is what you want out of life, not what somebody else wants for you.
Changing Your Mindset
This is the hardest task to accomplish because chances are, you care too much about what others think. Comparing yourself to others will rob you of joy.
Just because you see other people with nicer cars or a nice home, does not mean they are happy. Most people become even more stressed out once they achieve a certain status because now they must work even harder to maintain it all.
This is where changing your mindset comes in. Aside from paying off any debt you may have, consider not adding to it. Does your job make you miserable even though it pays the bills?
Consider getting rid of unnecessary expenses and save that money instead. Even living a slightly minimalistic life for a short time will help you appreciate life more.
Too many people are chasing that dollar without stopping to observe the beautiful world around them. Before you know it, you are middle-aged working at a job you hate, where the boss is younger and less experienced than you.
Avoid allowing others to influence you in a bad way. Ask yourself what makes you tick and what truly makes you happy. You will eventually realize that money does not make you happy and is quite the opposite.
Plenty of people are swimming in financially deep water and solely rely on a company to help them out. Most companies do not care about their employees and you are no different.
Imagine working somewhere for nearly a decade thinking everything is fine and then a new manager fires you just because they feel threatened by you. Yes, it happens, which is why you should not rely on making money from one company alone.
Having multiple income streams is great for contributing to financial freedom. Learn to trust yourself and not the person writing your checks.
References:
- Self-care for career success: 6 Tips To Balance Work and Life. School of Professional Studies at Wake Forest University. (2024, January 4).
- Why we need more materialism. Justice Everywhere. Peeters, W. (2019, July 15).
- Featured Image courtesy of Vecteezy