Your Goals are Not My Goals

I see a lot of figures thrown up when it comes to defining what it is to be financially successful. There are times that it appears my expectations are very conservative based on the kind of perception that some people already have. It usually shouldn't be anything to worry about but we are increasingly living in a classist society where wealth defines many things from how people treat and relate with you to the kind of service one has access to.

Based on statistics, there is a general figure to be considered a top one percent earner, it is around $350,000 annually. I think it also matters where one is from, as $350k annually in developing countries is a lot more valuable than earned in a place like the United States. Irrespective of that, it isn't the goal of everyone here to be a top one percent earner. Some people would consider themselves financially successful with far less.

Personally I don't know if I can place a figure on my financial expectations, but I reckon it varies with time. As things stand, I definitely am way off being a top earner and will get by with far less, hence my expectations are far less than that for now. I expect they will increase as the years go by and am trying my best to put myself in a position where I can earn a lot more in the future.

Yet we should never forget that money is a means to an end. This is becoming increasingly difficult these days though, as previously explained. Yet we should want better for ourselves but live in a World of our own expectations. If it means setting up our own class and building it from the ground up, then so be it. The goal is to build something that we can be proud of, not necessarily something for others to admire.

Sometimes we also get caught up in societies web of trying to make an impression, or trying to match others goals and expectations for themselves. People should rightfully inspire us, but our paths are very different. I used to compare myself a lot with others until I discovered just how differently they would veer should they step in my shoes. Knowing this early has saved me a lot of bad decisions, and brought me peace.

It doesn't mean group goals are bad though, or that we cannot have them. It just means that we should consider ourselves and circumstances before setting them and placing a timeframe for their realization. There is need to strike a balance between the urgency to perform and making unrealised demands of ourselves. Sometimes those unrealistic demands are the primary cause of those who decide to make money unethical means. For those who choose to do things the right way, it can be a long road sometimes.