Have you noticed how some people train in the gym for years? But their physique and strength never seem to change?

 

One of the main reasons this occurs is because they’re training in their ‘comfort zone’.

 

They’re always lifting the same weights. Doing the same workouts. And never pushing themselves.

 

It’s better than nothing…

 

But it’s a formula for mediocrity.  

 

If you don’t push your body beyond its current capacity then it won’t grow and transform.

 

‘Progressive overload’ is a proven principle for building strength in the gym. 

 

Where you increase the intensity of your workouts in small increments over time by:

 

 

 

I was a scrawny little 18 year old with a pot belly when I first started lifting weights. I was what you call ‘skinny-fat’. I struggled to deadlift my body weight which was around 70kg.

 

After 15 years I’ve completely transformed my physique. I can now deadlift 200kg+ (2.5 times my bodyweight). This is the power of consistent training and progressive overload . 

 

The same principle applies to building wealth.

 

 

 

Increasing the intensity of your workouts overtime helps you get stronger.

 

How do you apply this principle to your finances? 

 

First of all, you need to ensure you’re PAYING YOURSELF FIRST every month. Think of paying yourself first like going to the gym (or if you don’t like the gym another form of exercise).

 

 

But relying solely on training or saving is not enough if you’re serious about transformation.

 

You must also increase your intensity.

 

 

Progressive overload.

 

In the gym, you can increase resistance by adding small weights onto the bar to build muscle.

 

With your finances, you can increase resistance by increasing your savings rate to build wealth. 

 

For example,

 

If you’re paying yourself 10%, then in 3 months time you can increase your savings rate by 10%. So you will now be saving 11%. Then in another 3 months you will be saving 12.1%. 

 

Or, if you’re saving $1,000 per month, then in 3 months time you can increase your savings rate by 10%. So you’re now saving $1,100 per month. Then in another 3 months it will be $1,210.

 

This may feel slow in the beginning, but it doesn’t take long for the compound effect to kick in.  

 

 

 

This is the power of progressive overload when applied to your finances.

 

 

Because growth happens just beyond your comfort zone. 

 

When you try to expand too fast you will fall into self-sabotage behaviour. All your good work will erode.

 

There will be times in your life where you won’t feel you can achieve your savings rate. And you will be tempted to break your habit.

 

But this is the universe testing your commitment to what you said you were going to do.

 

Don’t give in.

 

Enforce your new standards.

 

Because if you commit to the process money by:

 

1) Paying yourself first, and 

2) Increasing your savings rate overtime

 

You’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover you still find a way to pay your bills. 

 

And remember,

 

YOU are your most important bill! 

 

Now you may be thinking,

 

 

Fair call.

 

But I want to highlight it’s not the amount or percentage that matters.

 

What matters is the habit.

 

If you can only manage 5% to begin with. Start there. If you can only manage to save $50 per month. Start there.

 

But make sure you apply the principle of progressive overload.

 

This is how you build your financial strength so you can handle any economic storm that comes your way.

Are you going to give this strategy a go?

Have a fantastic day,