The Journey to Your First Crore: A Story of Habits, Fear, and Financial Freedom
There was a time in Amit’s life when money felt like a distant dream. He had heard of people achieving their financial goals and even making their first one crore, but it seemed impossible for him. Each time he tried, life threw a curveball, leaving him with shattered dreams and an empty bank account.
But Amit wasn’t one to give up. One day, after a particularly tough financial year, he decided to turn things around. What changed? His mindset, habits, and approach toward wealth creation. He started to realize that building one crore wasn’t just about earning more but making better decisions with his money.
1. The Importance of Changing Beliefs
Amit had always believed that the only way to get rich was through real estate. "Land never loses value," his father would often say. But despite small wins, the path wasn’t leading him to his financial goals.
One evening, while discussing his struggles with an old friend, she said, "What if your beliefs about money are outdated? Have you ever thought about investing in other avenues, like equities or mutual funds?"
Amit realized that his rigid mindset was holding him back. Like many, he had been holding onto outdated ideas, never exploring the new possibilities in wealth creation. He opened his mind to different approaches and began his journey into the world of systematic investments.
2. The Low Say-Do Ratio Dilemma
In the early days, Amit made big promises to himself. He set up a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP), promising not to withdraw his funds until he reached his first one crore. However, life had other plans. A year later, he needed cash for an emergency, and his first instinct was to redeem his investments.
After cashing out, Amit reflected on his actions and realized he had fallen victim to the common mistake of a low "say-do ratio" — saying one thing but doing another. To build wealth, it wasn’t just about investing; it was about staying committed to those investments.
3. The Day His Blood Cells Enrolled in Wealth Creation
Amit had always wanted to reach one crore, but deep down, he knew he wasn’t fully committed. One day, while reading a book on personal finance, he came across a quote that changed his outlook: "Your financial future is determined by your self-effort, not destiny."
It hit him hard. Amit decided that he wouldn’t just "hope" to create wealth; he would fully commit. His mindset shifted, and he no longer saw wealth creation as a distant dream but a journey that required every part of him — his time, energy, and discipline.
4. Finding His Rhythm
During this journey, Amit realized something crucial: everyone has their own financial rhythm. His friend Priya, who had started her investing journey around the same time, seemed to be hitting milestones faster. Instead of feeling discouraged, Amit reminded himself that everyone’s financial journey is different.
One day, while learning guitar, his music coach mentioned the importance of rhythm — "Find your own pace, and stay with it." That lesson struck a chord. Amit realized that his financial rhythm was slower, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t progressing. He learned to embrace his pace, staying consistent with his investments, rather than comparing himself to others.
5. Bouncing Back After a Setback
There was a period when Amit had to pause his investments due to personal challenges. It felt like he was falling behind, and the fear of not reaching his goal crept in.
However, he remembered a key lesson: it’s okay to pause, but the real strength is in bouncing back. So, as soon as his situation improved, Amit restarted his SIP and continued on his path. He understood that wealth creation is a long-term game, and occasional setbacks don’t define the journey.
6. Building a Thick Face
Amit’s journey wasn’t without external doubts. Family members questioned his decision to invest in equities, and friends joked about his small but consistent investments.
At first, these comments bothered him, but over time, he learned to block out the noise. He developed what he called a "thick face" — the ability to withstand external doubts and stay focused on his financial goals. After all, creating wealth wasn’t about proving others wrong but staying true to his own journey.
7. Befriending Fear
Like many investors, Amit faced moments of fear. Markets crashed, and headlines screamed about economic crises. He watched his portfolio dip, and the fear of losing everything overwhelmed him.
But instead of running away, Amit embraced the fear. He learned that fear is a natural part of wealth creation. By staying the course, even during market downturns, he strengthened his financial resilience. Fear became his companion, reminding him that every journey has risks, but those who stay committed are rewarded.
8. The Power of Self-Inquiry
As Amit grew more confident in his financial decisions, he started practicing self-inquiry. He would spend quiet moments reflecting on his journey, asking himself deep questions about his relationship with money and success.
Through this introspection, he realized that wealth creation wasn’t just about numbers. It was about personal growth, discipline, and conquering inner doubts. This mindset shift transformed his approach, making him more focused and driven.
9. Avoiding the Temptation to "Kill the Chicken"
One of Amit’s biggest lessons came when he was tempted to cash out a significant portion of his investments for a luxury purchase. A friend reminded him of the story of the chicken that laid golden eggs. The moral was simple: don’t kill the chicken (your investment corpus) for short-term desires.
This advice stuck with Amit. He resisted the temptation, letting his investments continue to grow, knowing that the real reward would come from the long-term benefits of compounding.
10. Journaling the Journey
Inspired by the legendary Jim Rohn, Amit started journaling his experiences. Each day, he wrote down his financial decisions, the lessons he learned, and the emotions he felt.
This simple practice gave him clarity. It helped him see patterns in his decisions and allowed him to track his progress toward his first crore. His journal became a roadmap, guiding him through tough times and reminding him of his successes.
The Day Amit Reached His First Crore
Years of dedication and persistence paid off. One evening, as Amit reviewed his investment portfolio, he realized he had crossed the one-crore mark. The feeling was surreal. It wasn’t just about the money; it was about the journey, the lessons learned, and the personal growth he had experienced.
Amit’s story is a reminder that wealth creation is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s not about shortcuts or quick wins but about consistent effort, self-reflection, and resilience.
If you’re on your journey to your first crore, remember Amit’s lessons: stay committed, embrace fear, find your rhythm, and most importantly, believe that it’s possible.
No comments:
Post a Comment