How To Get Home

I had a client in my office the other day who was very frustrated at how long it was taking for his credit score to go up. It reminded me of another conversation I was having with a friend of mine who was as frustrated by how difficult it was for her to lose weight. There are several similarities between losing weight and improving credit scores.

- Both goals take a lot of work and happen over a period of time, which is not fun or exciting.

- Numbers are slow to move in the direction you want & quick to move against your goals.

- Both can seem hopeless at times and being able to charge it at McDonald’s doesn’t help.

- There are tons of books out there to help you do it, but no one reads them.

- Eating and spending make people “feel better” but are counter-productive to the goal.

- Many folks try, get frustrated and then give up.

- There are late-night infomercials for both claiming fast results for only $19.95.

- Both require a lifestyle change and without it, the person is guaranteed to fail.

There is an elevated risk level associated with both weight (blood pressure and heart disease) and lower credit scores (default) that can have an adverse impact of an individual’s life. Working on either requires a plan and setting realistic goals. With credit card offers and fast food so plentiful, it may seem like the system is working against you. Instant gratification is for sale at a drive-thru and they take Visa.

Stay focused, work hard, and never give up. A very smart guy once told me “you have to change it on the inside first.” A healthy weight and a good credit score are more like a journey than a destination. Both reflect making good choices and are worth the effort it takes.