A DIME AT A TIME

In society, we notice and praise the most extreme examples of achievement. Because of social media and the rate at which news is spread, we are always in the know when it comes to who has risen above the fray and what these people have accomplished.

I don’t entirely understand the psychology behind it. For whatever reason, it is easy to recognize those who earn the most, have the highest net worth, donate the most, and live most extravagantly. Many platforms publish lists of individuals who have performed exceedingly well in their industry or have gained fame for their financial or intellectual prowess. This is evidence that we as people glorify those who fall at the greatest extreme of accomplishment.

Yet, most people in this world are very average at most of the things they choose to do with their time and effort. That’s just a fact of life. Some time back, I shared an article that discussed feeling average when seemingly nobody else around seems to be average.

My favorite section of the article was:

“In the end, know that while it’s fine to be a learning machine, you may never become the wisest person. You may like to write but that doesn’t mean you will become the greatest writer. You may work hard to pick your stocks but that doesn’t mean you will the best investor out there. In great probability, you will just be average in most or all of these and other things which, by the way, is perfectly fine! And like mine, you will have a slow, simple, quiet life. An average life. One, that I think, would be enough.”There is power in that statement. Being average is okay, and your life can still be exceptionally joyful and fulfilling in spite of it. I am not saying that you should be apathetic, avoiding a challenge or settling for less in life. In fact, you should dig deep and invest greatly into the things that matter most to you. It is not only the extraordinary individuals that can create change and make a profound impact. I recently heard the phrase and metaphor, “A Dime at a Time.” I will explain its meaning below and how it relates to key areas of life. I believe that this is a mantra by which average people, like myself, can live life to the fullest. This is perhaps a near perfect balance between the apathy of settling for average and the unhealthy comparison of keeping up with those who are unusually successful. Living by this phrase would be a way for anyone to make small, positive impacts in their own life and the lives of others each and every day.

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Working

You might not be the most productive or valuable employee within your company.

BUT

There are always small details that often go overlooked within a company, giving you an opportunity to create change, “A Dime at a Time.” You should do your best to add value to your employer. Maybe you won’t bring in the largest account on record or create new work processes that drastically change workflows, making a large deposit of value in one single sweep.

But over the course of a year or more, your small, repeated impact can make a significant difference on company culture and outlook. By putting your nose to the grindstone and doing the small things that nobody else wants to do, you will be making yourself a valuable piece of the puzzle.

There are many ways in which you can add value to your company and doing these small things will slowly but surely set you apart, especially if you have a knack for executing your small value adds with perfect timing.

Don’t let what you contribute to your company as a professional determine your value, but instead work with passion and integrity. This will allow even the smallest task to carry significance and meaning.

Saving and Investing

You likely won’t win the lottery. You probably aren’t capable of fully funding your retirement in one fell swoop and then satisfying the rest of your financial desires.

BUT

You can save and invest “A Dime at a Time,” being diligent and disciplined over the course of your life. It’s practically personal finance lore that a small piece of saving and investing over time can make a huge difference down the road.

Since you are still young, the most important aspect of saving and then ultimately investing is to start now! This infographic shows that time is one of the most significant and important elements in determining where you will stand 30-40 years from now.

“A Dime at a Time” of saving today will make a huge impact when you finally retire. It can sometimes be difficult to get started but once you commit to making small steps in the right direction, momentum can carry you to the finish line. The discipline that grows as you take action will be a positive force for creating change for the rest of your life. This slow but steady pace to reach financial satisfaction will be rewarding, financially and personally.

Never let the amount that you are able to save and invest keep you from getting started. It is the starting and then the dutiful execution that will have a long lasting impact.

Giving

Maybe you will never be able to make a huge donation or shape your entire life around giving up your time to serve those in need.

BUT

You could commit to do small things for other people and give yourself away “A Dime at a Time.”

Both giving financially and giving other people your time are important aspects of your health. Giving clearly helps those on the receiving end, but the giver also receives both physical and mental health benefits.

Most of us have the ability to give of our time and money, we are incredibly fortunate. The world can sometimes be an especially harsh place, and by choosing to give to those in need, you add to their lives - and by adding to theirs, you will add to yours as well.

An act of kindness doesn’t have to be a large, one-time donation. By committing to helping a local non-profit or an organization, you would be able to create change and make an impact on individuals in your community.

Don’t let the size of the gift, whether in service or financially, keep you from giving to other people. Sometimes it is the small matters that matter most.

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The things you do in life don’t have to be extreme to make an impact. Sometimes an average person will do just a “Dime at a Time” and make all the difference in the world.

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Hit reply and tell me an area in your own life where a small input has resulted in a significant outcome/return.