My Destination, Vehicle, and Fuel

During these times where people are resigning from their jobs, pursuing different careers, and even building their own brands for businesses in record numbers, I often ask myself, what makes one person motivated to do so and another not?  What made even me quit my job after 12 years and begin to pursue my vision?  So I researched myself and broke my process down in a way that I believe can be relatable to the majority of us.  That process is figuring out your destination, your vehicle, and your fuel.

To break the process down a little more, I would ask myself where I saw myself going or saw for myself in my life.  What vehicle(s) will I use to get me there which would be a career, business, or trade?  What will I use as fuel to keep my vehicle going?  If you are unsure of your direction at this stage of your life, use my examples and experiences to formulate your own processes.

Destination

My destination or direction that I want to go is the first thing that I would look for.  Where do I see myself going and growing in life?  What do I see myself doing where I can provide for my family? Where would I like to go where I can limit my stress and anxiety while becoming the best version of myself?  These are just some of the many questions that you can ask yourself to begin charting your destination goals.

For me, my destination was getting to a place where I could provide financial education, become a positive speaker, and invest in real estate.  All three of these destinations are important to me and I wanted them all to become a part of my streams of wealth.

In my opinion, to have the ability focus on these three areas for the most part of my day would be truly appreciative.  If you may have noticed that they are not scattered areas of destinations but are in the realm of providing service to people.  Providing value and leaving a positive imprint on the world for years to come. 

Financial education: Helping individuals and families protect their income and develop financial literacy.  An area that really isn’t taught in school and should be a part of all household education. 

Positive speaker: Writing and speaking about topics that make people feel motivated and inspired while giving a positive vibe as well.  Most people just want to feel good about themselves and may need help getting there.  A void I look to fill within my lifetime.

Real estate investing:  With the continuing rise of appreciation in home values and the minimum wage not growing with it, it may be getting harder for the everyday person to be able to afford a home.  By providing an affordable place for people to live, building wealth through real estate, and leaving something physical to pass on to my family, investing within real estate provided a means for that.

So now that I’ve figured out my destinations or direction, now it is time to find the right vehicle or vehicles that will get me to my purpose.

Vehicle

My vehicles that I have chosen to accomplish my goals are financial education, positive speaking, and real estate.  Now some people will tell you that you need to pick a vehicle and focus on that one.  I concur to a certain point with that thinking and believe that some people, such as myself, can only thrive when multiple streams of vehicles are running.  That with one vehicle running, there will be a hunger, determination, a feeling of emptiness until another vehicle is started.

Financial education

Financial literacy is something that a lot of people may lack education within.  It could be from not having exposure to it or a multitude of things.  As I child, I was great at saving and as an adult, I am strategic with my purchases.  Utilizing credit cards effectively and buying assets whenever it presents an opportunity.

To utilize this financial education vehicle, I began a career in business banking, learned to consult with different kinds of people, and learned different ways on how individuals successfully ran their businesses.  This taught me that everyone will start at a different location on their journey for financial literacy and that is okay.  As long as it begins.

After about 2 years, I became an independent financial advisor.  Coaching and presenting different opportunities on how individuals and families can protect their income and build wealth at the same time.  A great joy that I still receive from educating people.  I am not an expert (yet) and still continue to learn each and every day.

Positive speaking

Positive speaking is therapeutic and relaxing for me.  This is one of the main reasons for the creation of Chivalry Jones.  A platform where I can create content that inspires myself while helping motivate others at any time of the day.  I get a great fulfillment of creating content of positive vibes through multiple forms of communication.  Writing, reading, speaking, and recording content.

I started with writing blogs on Chivalry Jones, recording podcasts on Talking with Chivalry, creating courses within Chivalry Jones Learning, creating inspirational guides, and engaging on social media.  I still continue to produce at least once a week and try to find a topic that inspires me for that week.

Another reason is as I have mentioned above, I want to leave a legacy for my family and a way for me to reach them for years to come.  Because of the pandemic from Covid-19, a lot of lives where cut short along with people that I have known.  Tomorrow is not promised to everyone so if this platform is a way for me to still continue teaching when it is my time, I am blessed to have created this project to sustain my way of thought.

Real Estate

Investing in real estate is something that I have known I wanted to do since childhood.  As I’ve mentioned before on previous posts, I grew up building Legos and playing monopoly.  It sparked my interest and developed a curiosity that I still cannot shake even today.

I became a real estate agent to begin my immersion within the industry of real estate.  There were more positives to becoming an agent than I could have imagined.  I developed relationships with individuals of all types that shared my same interest.  I learned about different property structures and designs that intrigued clients.  I learned what amenities that people looked for as a first time home buyer as well as an investor.  

I took courses and picked the brains of the instructors.  I learned a great deal about the financial side of real estate and how important establishing that is in the beginning of a home search journey.  Along with all the resources that I have at my disposal, I am more versed in the realm of what I would like within an investment property and how to manage it then I was.   

Fuel

My fuel (motivation) is to build a life where I live on my own terms.  To create a life where I can spend time and take my family anywhere that we would like to go. To leave a legacy for my family to have and utilize when I am no longer here.  To pass on something that they can utilize to build their own wealth.  Your fuel is going to be what keeps your drive going.  It will be what keeps your fire lit when you feel like you have nothing left. 

To begin, one type of fuel I used was my experience working within a call center.  There is no disrespect to anyone that does enjoy it and can make it work for yourself.  But for me, it was helpful in propelling me into my next level of growth.  I really believe that without it, I would have taken longer to get into the stage of my life that I am in at the current moment.  I was exposed to different personalities, developed my consultation skills, and learned how to function under pressure.

I learned a great deal within my call center experience but it was still something that I still dreaded to do.  I did not like waking up early to make the hour commute, the nostalgia feeling of walking to my cubicle, and even the short time I spent with my family.

Another type of fuel would be the uneasiness feelings of job interviews.  I don’t know about you but they made me sick to my stomach.  No matter how much I prepared, I still felt like it was one of the worst feelings ever.  Who knows, I may be better at them now but for the time being, I remember the feeling.

These are just a few of the things and feelings that I utilize to keep my vehicles driving toward my destinations.  Write them down, read them aloud, and post them everywhere.  Use them to help you remember your why and keep pushing towards the directions that you see for yourself.

To summarize, I would like to say that to get to your destinations, it should be viewed as a journey.  It will not happen overnight so prepare yourself, map out your road, pick the vehicle that works for you, and keep your fuel tank full.  With that being said, I do hope you appreciate our site, learn a great deal, and focus on building yourself for the person that you are to become.  Thank you in advance and for your time!