Charlie Munger once said that accumulating the first $100,000 from a standing start, with no seed money, is the most difficult part of building wealth. He also said it’s the most defining and important part as well, in his own words:
“The first $100k is a b*tch, but you got to do it!”
— Charlie Munger
Reaching a lofty financial goal such as achieving your first $100k or $1 million is much like defying financial gravity and rocketing into orbit.
Just as it takes an immense amount of energy to break free from the gravitational pull of Earth and launch into space, so too does it take a lot of hard work, discipline, grit, and dedication to reach the milestone of your first $100k.
As a rocket must account for all aspects of its trajectory to ensure it reaches its destination safely, so too must you plan carefully, consider contingencies, and adjust your strategy along the way if needed.
Similar as the air resistance experienced by rockets decreases as they reach higher altitudes, so too do your daily obligations become more manageable once you have reached a new level of wealth.
As you ascend through different tax brackets and investment opportunities, your options, and risk tolerance increase multifold, and as a result profits can become easier to attain with each tier.
However, just like reaching outer space requires hitting certain speeds in order to maintain enough momentum to get to orbit, achieving financial success requires consistent effort over long periods of time.
Your journey towards financial freedom may begin slowly and gradually increase in velocity over time as compound interest starts kicking in. You may experience setbacks and delays along the way that require changes in course or additional resources for you to continue forward.
You may find yourself accelerating quickly at times thanks to sudden windfalls or other unforeseen circumstances that put you ahead unexpectedly.
However fast or slow you travel on your path, eventually, you will reach a point where everything gets increasingly effortless – as if there was no gravity holding you down anymore.
The first big milestone, your “personal finance lower orbit” so to say, lies at the magic zone of $100k.
From there you can look back on your efforts with pride and satisfaction knowing that you have achieved something great!
The gravity analogy has one specific goal in mind:
To emphasize how momentous this first threshold can be.
The first $100k is merely the beginning though.
Let’s get a tat more practical, but I shall keep talking in space-faring analogies!
“If offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat. Just get on.”
— Christa McAuliffe
Are you ready for take-off?
1. What it Takes to Reach Your First $100k
Reaching your initial financial goal, the hurdle of $100k is no easy task.
It requires the same dedication and hard work as launching a rocket into orbit.
Both require a well-designed vehicle that is capable of sustaining itself through the journey.
In other words: you must build a great spaceship!
Your rocket must have a reliable, powerful engine, and even more important is finding enough of the right rocket fuel to make it through the atmosphere and beyond.
Similarly, defying financial gravity and achieving your first $100k requires you to have strong motivation and a purpose driving you throughout your journey helping you to overcome your fears.
A head full of fears has no space for dreams!
Your “why” [or your passion] is your “rocket fuel”, it better be strong stuff and keeps you going during times when progress feels slow or difficult!
Having a passion for what you do is crucial for staying focused on the end goal.
It’s only when you have a clear understanding of why you’re doing what you’re doing that it’s easier for you to stay consistent in taking the necessary steps needed to move forward.
Much like how astronauts must remain disciplined and focused on their mission despite various uncertainties along the way.
The starting point of all achievement is desire.
“Gravity hurts.”
— Viktor Alexandrov
Countdown initiated… 10, 9, 8, 7…
2. Planning Carefully for Your ‘Orbital Launch’
Bear in mind reaching outer space isn’t as simple as just having a powerful engine. It also needs careful planning and coordination with other factors such as fuel, thrust direction, angles, speed, trajectory, weight distribution, etc., all of which need to be taken into consideration for success!
Achieving your financial goals requires thoughtful preparation; budgeting appropriately, decreasing unnecessary costs or debts, saving regularly, investing smartly, and so forth.
These are all aspects that play an important role in helping you reach your desired milestone.
Make a financial millionaire plan to keep you on the trajectory!
Ultimately, it takes more than just ambition and “money smarts” to break free from our financial gravity and launch ourselves towards our first $100k. It takes resilience and unwavering commitment grounded in determination of why we want financial freedom in the first place.
Everything you can imagine is real!
3. Risk Tolerance & Increasing Options
The higher you get, the bigger your risk tolerance will climb and the more options will present themselves to you. But the initial phase will be tough.
Simply saving a little bit of cash won’t make the cut. You got to pump up your savings rate and increase your free cash flow toward your dreams. Reduce your expenses to the minimum, unlock new earning potential and add new streams of [passive] income, increase the gap between income and expenses as vigorously as possible!
The more mentally prepared for this “extreme” period of take-off you are, the more options will show themselves to you and the better you’ll manage to get through.
Initially, the bulk of your net worth growth will come from savings. The contribution from your investment returns and the famous compounding effect will only start to show up a few years later. In the initial phase, it might very well be your investments might not work out as planned.
So don’t give up easily, push this through. This is exactly why it’s so hard and why so many people give up when a few first difficulties arise.
It’s worth it to keep going.
Because in the end, it’s very, very simple:
The more money you have, the more money/ the richer you will get!
The higher you climb, the better your “view” will become and the more options will appear!
“Space is an inspirational concept that allows you to dream big.”
— Peter Diamandis
Compound Interest will eventually work for YOU.
Trust the thrust!
4. Consistent Effort Over Long Periods of Time
It’s important to note that achieving your first $100k is not a short-term task. It’s a marathon, and you have to be in it for the long haul if you want to cross the finish line eventually.
Take control of your financial situation and make sure to stay committed throughout the entire journey. Start with a highly concentrated effort but be ready to keep your efforts consistent over time, it will ultimately pay off.
“You’ll never know how good you are until you try. Dream the impossible and then go out and make it happen. I walked on the moon. What can’t you do?”
— Gene Cernan
Break down your big goals into smaller chunks so you can focus on accomplishing one step at a time without losing sight of the larger goal.
Ensure that you’re well rested with occasional breaks along the way as needed because working hard does not necessarily mean sacrificing your well-being or happiness for hours on end!
Make sure your rocket doesn’t burn out halfway up into orbit.
Always remember: Rome was not built in a day!
5. Preparing for Setbacks or Delays That May Require Changes in Course
It’s important to remember that there will be setbacks, delays, and obstacles on the way to achieving your first $100k. You can count on them being there for you as well!
This doesn’t mean you should give up; it simply means it’s time for a break, maybe a pivot, and potentially a course correction. There are many ways to build your first $100k.
Adjusting your plan and goals is part of the journey to success!
Always shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars!
Sometimes you may need to take detours or pivot completely in order to reach your destination. And though this can be daunting at times, with a bit of flexibility, problem-solving skills, and creativity you can navigate the situation productively.
Prepare for roadblocks ahead of time by having an emergency fund and other safety nets such as a Plan B or a Plan C available if needed.
This will give you peace of mind so when something unexpected comes.
Trust me, something unexpected always comes.
Expect the unexpected.
Be prepared!
6. Unexpected Windfalls Accelerating Progress
I bet you didn’t expect this one here…
When you least expect it, the wind can even pick up speed and give your rocket a helping hand!
Unexpected windfalls are like free fuel for your rocket ship – they will accelerate progress and help you get to orbit quicker than if you had just followed your original plan.
These “windfalls” can come in different shapes and sizes- from finding unexpected money in an old coat pocket to receiving an inheritance or winning the lottery (highly unlikely, but not impossible…).
This doesn’t mean that these windfalls should be part of your initial plan or are your key to guaranteeing success. But be ready for them and if they come use them wisely. They can be a powerful tool in propelling you towards your goals with more speed!
It is important to remember that any amount of money – no matter how large or small – should be handled with the same level of care and thoughtfulness.
The winds of change can often be unpredictable and intimidating. But to those who are brave enough to embrace them and ride their gusts, they can provide the rocket fuel necessary to reach heights of success that were once inconceivable.
Like a hot air balloon in full flight, weathering the winds of change takes courage and determination to stay aloft and reach your destination.
The most important thing here is if a windfall comes, stay the course!
7. The Feeling of Satisfaction When the First $100k Is Reached
Imagine the feeling of satisfaction you’ll get and how empowering it will be when you finally reach your first $100k after all this hard work, dedication, grit, and planning.
Congrats: You’ve defied financial gravity and have achieved your first $100k.
The Journey to financial orbit: How to defy financial gravity, achieve your first $100k, and rocket to financial success! Click To Tweet”When I first looked back at the Earth, standing on the moon, I cried.”
— Alan Shepard
When you finally reach orbit and hit that first big milestone, it’s a huge celebration!
You will never forget the feeling of accomplishment when you reach this milestone.
Take a moment to recognize your accomplishments and the time and effort you put in.
It’s important to give yourself credit for all that hard work!
You are in “orbit” now, you are beyond financial gravity!
“Weightlessness was wonderful, and I was surprised at how natural it felt.”
— Ron Garan
High-five yourself and get ready for what’s next.
This is just the beginning, not the end!
8. The First $100k is Just the Beginning on Your Path to Financial Freedom
When you make your first $100k it will be empowering in many ways. You worked hard and made a plan to reach that goal. Even if things got tough or weird, you kept going and did not give up.
You are proof of concept that you are capable of achieving bigger better things in life.
You are full of:
- courage
- self-confidence
- a bank account to finance options
This is highly powerful, and that’s exactly why this exercise is so important in the first place.
You are like a rocket ship now – cruising beyond gravity in space!
- Until $10k, save
- Until $100k, work smart
- Until $1mil, make money work smart
- One step at a time
Once you reach the first $100k, the next $100k will come much quicker.
This is because of something called compounding, which is like a cycle that keeps happening over and over. Each time it happens it makes more money for you. So getting to your second $100k will be much faster than the first one!
“I know the sky is not the limit because there are footprints on the moon — and I made some of them!”
— Buzz Aldrin
Compounding is your hyperdrive and once it kicks in, you’ll become unstoppable.
- Your first 1,000 followers is the hardest
- Your first $100,000 is the hardest
- Your first job is the hardest
You will change, your perspective will change and your available options will change!
Defy Financial Gravity: Achieve Your First $100k.
It gets easier with discipline and consistency.
Keep the momentum!
Ad astra!!!
Conclusion
The first $100k is probably the most important and defining part of your financial journey to building wealth. While it’s just the beginning of your journey to financial freedom, don’t underestimate this section before you set your course to your next destination.
Wherever you may be on your journey, try to make it into orbit first, as up in space, there are fewer headwinds and no gravity to keep you from moving onwards faster!
So, if you’re ready to get started on your journey to financial freedom and make that first $100k a reality.
It’s time to start preparing.
Gather the right rocket fuel—the discipline, grit and dedication required for success—and find yourself the perfect ship. Then set your course carefully with measured planning so that when you take off, there will be no stopping you!
“We are limited only by our imagination and our will to act.”
— Ron Garan
With these steps in place, achieving this milestone is only a matter of time. Once you reach orbit “to infinity and beyond”, anything will be possible! Believe in yourself, and never ever let someone who gave up on their dreams talk you out of yours.
The Journey to financial orbit: How to defy financial gravity, achieve your first $100k, and rocket to financial success! Click To TweetRemember, the biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.
May your dreams help you defy the laws of gravity.
Defy Financial Gravity: Achieve Your First $100k!
Believe in your dreams,
Matt
Wait a minute!
If you liked this post, please help me pay it forward by sharing it with your family and friends and don’t forget to subscribe to Financial Imagineer via email in the box below, give me a follow on Twitter and/ or Facebook.
NEW: For your daily dose of “finspiration” join me here on Medium where I write every day.
I’d appreciate it a lot.
If you’re looking to get your money skills “up to speed”, check out my online course or feel free to book 30-minute consultation with me via Zoom.
I can’t imagine anything more ironic than that quote from Christa McAuliffe. She took the offered seat on a rocket ship and it the biggest mistake of her life, and the last.