Authorize Yourself
by: Dave Ozment
Who would have imagined it, but C&C Music Factory Snap may have said it best…. “I’ve got the power“. That’s an important and significant statement. You do have the power and you should not be afraid to use it. However, many of the masses fail to grasp or act on this reality. These folks seek approval or permission to step up and seize the reigns over their situations.
On a recent episode of a national radio program a caller sought advice on eliminating a $10,000 debt repayment to the IRS. With a household income in excess of six digits, she wanted to shed the shackle of a long term monthly payment. That she could simply pay more each month had, seemingly, not entered her mind? With the numbers she easily reported, she could eliminate the entire burden in 3-4 short months yet she required direction and permission from a stranger on the radio for this otherwise obvious advice.
In another, not so recent, installment a caller doubted their own ability to play an active role in their own life. “Can I do that?” was the response to the suggestion that she sell some extra furniture for which she was both making payments and serving monthly storage fees because there was no room in her home for the furniture. I wonder to whom she felt obligated prior to being introduced to a classic “2 birds, 1 stone” solution?
In both instances the action steps were so apparent as a listener that it was easy to question how those calls ever made it to the air. Yet such a public forum was required to help the callers recognize the transparency of the matter staring them in the face.
And that, I feel, is the true lesson of the calls – the real reason those calls were allowed to hit the airwaves. Neither caller was a true moron. However, each had become blinded by their own circumstances. I’d wager that either caller could have easily prescribed an appropriate solution for their counterpart, yet neither was able to make or authorize the same or similar recommendation for their own situation. Both callers were handcuffed by their situations and left with feelings of helplessness.
But knowledge is power and both could have benefited by being more continually aware of their situation. If it is easy to wake up under a mountain of debt or fat or other untenable situation for lack of paying attention, then it is nearly impossible to achieve similar negative results when our focus is properly applied.
So wake up before being awoke, learn rather than ignore, and exercise authority over your situation rather than cowering behind the magnified details of it all. You do have the power.
Photo By:
Your Turn – If you enjoyed this article, I would personally appreciate it if you would consider commenting below and/or subscribing to our Free Updates via email or RSS updates. Thanks!
In the interest of accuracy I would like to point out that the referenced song is in fact by the band Snap! and not C&C as asserted by Mr. Ozment.
This comes as no great surprise, since I have been correcting Mr. Ozment on his musical knowledge since approximately 1990.
Mr. Kerr
Ha. I stand corrected Mr. Kerr… that was never my style of music so I’ll leave that genre to you.
Hmm, as for imparting musical knowledge…. I recall holding my own back in the day.
For everyone not named Mr. Kerr, or Mr. Ozment just know that you’re watching an inside joke between 2 long time friends play out in the comment section of my blog.
Dave
Your article on this blog is fantastic. Well done! I’m a big fan of your blog and be sure to keep up the great work.
I plan on returning and linking to your site.
Sincerely,
Author
The Alan Haft Blog,
I think you’re being too kind to those people. While I have no problem with people asking for help, I feel that should come AFTER you’ve tried doing other things that don’t work out. Otherwise, that’s just a waste of time and shows that you’re being dumb and lazy and just waiting for permission for someone to come along and fix your problems.
Indeed, in this life you have to create your own opportunities do what is best for you (so long as it doesn’t screw someone else over). It’s easy to be a yes man (or woman) but to take the reigns is scary because it means taking responsibility for your life *gasp!*
Hey C&C… I actually wrote out a long and thought response to your comment and then hit delete rather than reply… argh, oh well…. I’ll try again.
I’d bet even money that you’re right, that I was too soft. I actually started to write a more fiery article but it softened as it evolved. I guess I went with more carrot than stick.
I do believe some folks are blinded by their situation – paraysis by analysis I guess. I also agree that there are some true morons out there and have not a clue. I suppose of the 2 folks I referenced there was one of each.
Thanks for commenting!
Dave
This is a common theme I’ve notice while talking to people about finances. I think people get too wrapped up in the “payment” lifestyle to realize that they can actually step up to the “payoff” lifestyle. It wasn’t until I took a hard look at my finances that I realized I was in control, not somebody else. Once I realized it, the goal was clear- PAY IT OFF. I’ve been living in debt for years, but now I’m actually doing something about it. I took the pizza delivery job at night, I chose to live on a budget, I am making the choices. When you authorize yourself, YOU have to make it happen. You are the only one looking yourself in the mirror everyday. Of course it was Dave Ramsey and a great ELP of his that helped me along the way. Keep the great posts coming Dave.
Thanks Jeff…. you are exactly right when you mention the payment lifestyle…’nothing but a payment’ is a comment statement of thought process for way too many folks… the idea of stepping up to a payoff lifestyle is perfectly stated.
Dave