Belief in a Goal
In August of 2013, I listened to an audiobook that sparked an idea, a dream, that I've spent the last seven years working towards.
Goals, if they are desirable enough, and you believe you can achieve them, have a way of changing your life. In this life, perception is everything. The simple act of becoming aware of your dream and choosing that you will attain it no matter what, is a transformational experience.
And that's exactly what I experienced in 2013. A single Mom, I was living paycheck to paycheck, in debt, with a credit score in the mid 500's.
The poor feasibility of my dream was propped by enthusiasm and belief. You see, once I decided to make it happen, I instantly became free. Free of the bounds of my confining circumstances.
Every move I made beyond that point propelled me toward my goal.
The Present
Fast forward to today, and I've found my skipper, plus two stowaways (Lizzie & Maddox).
My credit score is in the mid 700s (and climbing), my net worth is positive, and since 2013, my income has nearly tripled. We are saving and planning for our sail away adventure.
What made the difference?
A goal. A pursuit. A sudden awareness that I was not trapped in a never-ending cycle of wake up, go to work, come home, clean house, go to bed.
There was something more for me.
And no matter how much sacrifice or hard work, I was going to get it.
Never underestimate the power of mindset and goal setting as a force to change your life. It frees you.Click To TweetIn early August of 2020, my husband and I completed our ASA (American Sailing Association) certifications for Coastal Cruising and Bareboat Chartering. We are actively pursuing skills that will be needed during our life on a sailboat.
Every step brings us closer to the goal.
Why we Chose FIAR
We chose to quit our jobs and sail away before becoming financially independent. This is our rationale:
By the time we reach financial independence and can quit our jobs forever, we'll be too old to fully enjoy our sailing life. Our children will be too invested in their social lives to want to go.
So we charted a different course – F.I.A.R.
Financial Independence / Abbreviated Retirement is for Generation Xers who discovered FIRE later in life (later 30s, early 40s), and who have a lifelong dream they would like to pursue while they are still young enough to enjoy it fully.
The basic idea is that you save up, quit your job for 1 to 3 years, and then return when your adventure is over. Or pivot.
The Future
We aren't sure if we'll return to our careers, launch a business, monetize a Youtube channel, or go a different route.
After we return, we may decide to go lean FIRE, or we may decide to save for another year of adventure. We'll know more then. We don't have to decide that today.
Extended adventures have a way of changing you. Knowing that after facing challenges and hardships abroad we will be different people than the ones who untied the bowlines, is an exciting prospect to me.
Weather-worn, wiser, and well-traveled, when our three years are up, who knows what our desires will be?
So for now, the focus is on the adventure. We'll keep a buffer in the bank to cover the expenses that come after we return, but plan for that chapter later.
Our Sailing Plans
Our sailing plans are written in sand, at best. As we learn more about the lifestyle and how to plan a world voyage, we continue to refine our itinerary.
There are three primary destinations of interest: The Caribbean, French Polynesia, and the Mediterranean. Its difficult to reach all three without completing a circumnavigation, and for now, that seems like a lofty goal.
Our main concern with a circumnavigation (with two small children aboard) are dangerous areas of piracy in the Red Sea and the North Indian Ocean. As we connect with sailors who have made recent passages we will be better informed.
For now, the primary goal is saving to buy the boat, choosing a seaworthy vessel, and plotting a course to the Bahamas. We appreciate that we don't need to have all the answers today. Figuring it out is half the fun.
Our desired vessel is a 40 to 45 foot sailing catamaran. A used 3-cabin owner's version of Lagoon or Leopard is our most likely target.
Learn More
Over the course of the next few months, I'll post details about our plans. How we've calculated the cost of our abbreviated retirement, chosen a timeline that works for us, and keep you up to date on our progress.
When you decide to go after a dream, and you truly believe in your ability to make it happen, everything falls into place.
A lot of people talk big talk, but look at you, you are doing it! That’s inspirational! I’ve lived my dream my whole life and never understood why most people just muddled through life without having a compass or a destination. Not you though, you are the real thing. Great post!
Thanks for the words of encouragement, Steve. Glad you enjoyed the read. Love that you are living out your dreams as well!
This is an encouraging article. It makes you look at life from a different perspective, makes you feel strong enough to set a goal and actually fight to see the goal come to reality. You’re an inspiration.
It’s really impressed to set goals for life, firstly we have something to work for n secondly the joy you get once you achieve it is irreplaceable. Loved reading this
Self-belief is important in the pursuit of our goals. You have certainly exemplified it. It’s encouraging to hear you.
Thanks for the positive feedback. 🙂
I agree that it’s important to have goals!
I like this concept of ambitious but realistic goals. Good luck on your adventure!
Yep, and it gives us a near-term reason to not spend all our money on STUFF! Thanks for the well wishes.
This sounds like an awesome idea! The traditional route of waiting to travel once you retire has always sounded so unrealistic to me. Health is not a given thing, and there’s no way you would experience it the same way as you would now when you’re young.
That’s exactly our thoughts – there is no guarantee that we will stay healthy and be able to do this later in life. We are already in our mid 40’s and believe we need to go soon.
Making that constant decision to choose your goal everytime is what got you to where you wanted to be. You did this all on your own. Congrats.
Thanks Michele! Staying focused is hard, but watching Youtube videos of others living our dream keeps us inspired.
One of the many good things about your mindset and way of living life is that it gives you the flexibility to not have to choose one way over another. You can have many different, abundant options.
Yes! That is the main idea – to stay flexible and not be locked into one outcome. Not knowing the whole plan yet is part of the excitement!
Set goals in our life is the best way to achieve your dreams. Your advice are very encouraging on how to achieve our goals I love this quote “Never underestimate the power of mindset and goal setting as a force change your life. It frees you!” Congrats!
I’m so glad to hear that this message is encouraging! Trying to spread the fire!
Amazing sailing plans! Setting a goal is our inspiration to make it happen. Fulfilling our goals is an achievement.
Oh I do believe in a power of mindset and when there is a will there is always a way. Love how you both are planing an adventure with your kids. Will definitely be following your journey.
The power of mindset is for real!
Yes it’s important to have goals and work towards it to achieve something big.
The power of your mind is incredible – there is always a journey!
Well you definitely seem to have a goal and that is amazing. Most people don’t even know where to begin. I am like you were credit score in the mid 500’s. No job. I am the homemaker. Hubby low score but is the money bringer. I think the biggest thing is learning to control money but well…if you’re not the one making the money how can you tell anyone how to spend theirs. I don’t know. I wish everyone the best but I wish this was attainable. Definitely seems to work for others.
Choose whatever you like in this life. Don;t regret. Live your life to the fullest. Enjoy your journey!
Thank you, Oscar!
I’ve always had a dream to travel the world and be financially independent and this is so motivating for me I am looking for four more of your adventures and I think I going to get these posts safe because I want to learn more about the FIRE community
Hi Jessica – You should pursue your dream. Let me know if I can help in any way.