Ep. 225 – Paul Fenner - What Game Are You Playing
Why does it feel like everyone else can afford the vacation you can't?
You make good money. You're doing everything right. But your Instagram feed is full of beach photos while you're staring at a windchill warning and wondering what you're missing.
In this episode, I talk about the trap of comparing your entire financial situation to someone else's highlight reel. I share a recent conversation with a family who was crushing their financial goals but felt like failures because they couldn't keep up with their friends' travel schedule. And I explore why the real question isn't "how can they afford that?" but rather "what game am I actually trying to win?"
This week: Take five minutes and name your game. Write down what you're actually trying to accomplish with your money so you can stop checking the scoreboard of a game you're not even playing.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES YOU MAY LIKE
1 Big Idea to Think About
You're not behind. You're playing a different game. The families posting beach photos may be making completely different trade-offs than you, and comparing your full financial reality to someone else's highlight reel guarantees you'll feel like you're losing at a game you never signed up for.
1 Way You Can Apply This
Take five minutes this week and write down the specific financial game you're playing right now. Name it. When the next vacation photo or lifestyle comparison hits, check it against your game, not theirs.
1 Question to Ask
Am I feeling behind because I'm actually falling short, or because I'm checking the scoreboard of a game I'm not even playing?
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Running Towards the Challenge of Why and Enough
Uncovering Core Values for Financial Clarity and Emotional Balance