Change your life with one simple question

Whether you're saving for a down payment or wanting to lose weight, the principle is the same. You can change your life with one simple question: Does what I'm about to do line up with my goals?

It's just a matter of priorities. You CAN do the things you want most, but you have to make them a priority. This means not allowing a series of little things (that you don't really care much about in the long run) to derail you.

For example, if you head to the mall to keep a friend company, and see something cool that you'd like, don't tell yourself “Oh, but I can't get that because we're saving for a down payment.” That's just likely to depress you, and put the focus on all the things you “can't” have.

Instead, ask yourself if buying the cool item is in line with your goal of saving for a down payment. The obvious answer (”no”) will pop into your head, and you'll find that you don't really WANT the item when it comes right down to it. You'd rather have the new house. You'll get excited about reaching that goal instead.

You'll make progress (and change your life) one decision at a time. There might be times when you do decide to buy something at the store instead of saving for your larger goal, but that's alright because you'll have thought things through carefully. They won't be fleeting impulses that prevent you from doing what you really want to do. You'll feel good about your decisions AND reach your larger goal with relative ease.