We often have a tendency to regard the economy as a machine that is beyond the control of mere mortals like ourselves. We see it as something that is bigger than society, and something that our decisions and the responsibility that we take upon selves as we live our lives has no significant bearing on.

Unfortunately this is a dangerous and shortsighted outlook to have. While it may be true that the economy is like a machine, it’s a machine that’s made up of people, the money that they earn and spend, and the decisions that they make. The fiscal soundness with which we live our lives represents the grease in the cogs of the economy, and therefore determine how smoothly it is able to run.

Instant gratification is wanting everything now, and its converse is deferred gratification. Low impulse control provides short term satisfaction but causes long term chaos, imbalance, and personal failure, while high impulse control causes short term dissatisfaction but provides long term order, balance, and personal success.

Here are some classic examples of how the impulse of instant gratification works in real life:

- If you are seeking a relationship, you want it to unfold as magically as in the movies, and you’re impatient about building rapport and getting to know someone. Beguiled by Hollywood, you believe that romance is as simple as locking eyes across the room, talking breathlessly, and effortlessly plunging into a whirlwind of pleasurable experiences.

I Don’t Have the Energy
Not having the vitality to fulfill your life purpose is part of a learned response. I’m tired, I’m exhausted, I’m worn out, and I’m too weary are just a few varieties of mind viruses that have infected you, consciously or not.

They’re generally an unintended excuse as opposed to a legitimate explanation for not doing the things you want to do. Accept the belief that you’re lacking the energy to make significant changes in your life and you latch on to a flimsy, albeit very effective, strategy for maintaining some pretty slovenly habits.

“The mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.” – Confucius

With any undertaking, it’s important to have the right tools. The same is true when you simplify, scale back, live more frugally and sustainably, and make room in your life for things you love.

We’ve already discussed several key tools. The Short List:

1. Determining your essentials and eliminating the rest.
2. A “thriving” mindset where you focus on what you love, not what you don’t have.
3. An “enough” mindset, where you realize you already have enough, and stop wanting more.
4. A plan to reduce expenses, both small and large.
5. Sound financial habits.
6. Debt-elimination strategies.