Does aligning your finances to create the lifestyle you desire both now and in the future seem impossible? You're not alone. I too have struggled with finding and maintaining my happy medium.

How can you enjoy your life now and still make financial decisions that allow you to maintain your great life in the future?

Here are three steps to help get you started:

1) Block out some time to clear your mind

Give yourself the time and space you need to think. You can then begin to establish where you are right now, where you want to go, and how you plan to get there.

How I Do It:

I use the Calm app on my phone for meditation. It's amazing what 5 or 10 minutes will do to help clear your mind.

I also read a passage each morning from The Daily Stoic. The book is set up so that you read one, specific passage each day. It's a daily reminder to focus on what you control and let go of what you can't.

2) Find a system that works for you

Don't fixate on finding a solution that will solve all of your problems - i.e. the“perfect” system.

The perfect system for you is the one that you're able to stick with.

Your system needs to captures where you are, where you want to be, and what you need to do to get there.

How I Do It:

I use Right Capital's planning software both personally and with my clients.

It's an easy to use system that establishes where you stand today, where you aim to go, and the action steps you'll need to take to get you there. It helps you monitor your progress, identifies necessary adjustments, and allows you to make updates as your life changes.

Interested in checking it out yourself? Click here to create your free financial snapshot.

3) Hold yourself accountable to making it happen

A plan isn't worth the paper it's printed on if it's never implemented. And once you have implemented your plan, you've only begun what is an on-going process.

Success - defined as living a great life now and in the future - is achieved through making good decisions and behaving well over long periods of time.

You must follow through on your actions in order to create the life you want. You need to hold yourself accountable or find someone to help you do so.

How I Do It:

I have an accountability coach that I speak with on the phone every Monday. We identify three impactful actions each week that are fully within my control and that will move me towards where I want to go. My coach then holds me accountable to those actions for the week. I report back how I did on our next call and then we repeat the process for the week ahead. It's simple, but has a massive impact.

I've also filled out a daily productivity schedule created by the excellent folks at StoryBrand. It's great at helping you focus and prioritize what's important throughout your day.

I hope these steps and my personal examples have helped you figure out how to begin your journey towards a great life both now and in the future. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (TM) professional, I help Gen X families live better by blending what works for them financially and emotionally. If you'd like some help, the first step is to schedule a call.

We'll discuss why money is important to you and determine if we're a good fit. Assuming we are, then we'll figure out where you are now, where you'd like to be, and what actions you need to take to make it happen.

You don't have to live in financial anxiety and confusion anymore. You can enjoy your life now while still being financially responsible for your future life. Together, we can help get you there - wherever your “there” might be.