I once lived a life without direction, drifting along without any clear goals. My philosophy was simple and fatalistic: “We’re all going to die anyway.” This mindset led me to live without purpose, merely surviving from one day to the next.

But everything changed when I hit rock bottom, losing everything I had. It was a harsh wake-up call, making me realize that reaching the end of life is not just a simple matter of passing time—it requires intention and purpose.

During my financial recovery, I stumbled upon the teachings of Jim Rohn, who profoundly changed my outlook. He taught me that what we have is a product of what we’ve done—or failed to do—in the past. Who we are, where we are, and what we possess are the direct results of our actions. Success is not a matter of chance but a deliberate pursuit of specific goals.

The Ultimate Goal: Preparing for the End

For me, the ultimate goal is about who I will be when I face my own death. Knowing that death is inevitable, I believe in life after death, where we will all face judgment—either heaven or hell. If my goal is to go to heaven, then my actions in this life must align with that objective.

Life is fraught with challenges, and without proper preparation, these challenges can derail you from your journey. One of the most significant aspects of being prepared is your capability to earn money and make it work for you until its earning power supports your lifestyle. This is where the CPM Triangle—Capabilities & Skillsets, Primary Income, and Money Management—becomes invaluable.

Capabilities & Skillsets: Building Your Foundation

Capabilities:
encompass the knowledge, skills, and experiences you accumulate over time. These are your tools for navigating life’s challenges and opportunities.

Hard Skills:
These are the technical abilities essential for professional success. As someone who transitioned from Civil Engineering to IT, I had to acquire new skills like network management, cybersecurity, and software development. Certifications such as CompTIA, Microsoft 365 Administration, and ISC2 are crucial for validating these skills and staying updated with industry trends.

Soft Skills:
Equally important are soft skills, including communication, leadership, and adaptability. Effective communication helps you convey ideas clearly, leadership enables you to guide teams, and adaptability allows you to thrive amidst change. Developing both hard and soft skills enhances your ability to excel professionally and personally, laying a strong foundation for the rest of the CPM Triangle.

Primary Income: Monetizing Your Capabilities

Primary Income:
It’s what you earn from active work or employment. Maximizing this income is crucial for funding your investments and securing financial stability.

Career Advancement

Seek promotions and higher-paying roles by showcasing your enhanced capabilities. Regular performance reviews and feedback sessions can help you identify growth areas. For instance, my journey from a personal PC technician to a Microsoft 365 Administrator was marked by continuous learning and leveraging opportunities to demonstrate my skills.

Market Research

Understanding the job market and salary benchmarks is essential. Use this information to negotiate better pay or seek higher-paying opportunities. Knowing where you stand in the job market helps you make informed decisions about your career path.

Side Gigs and Freelancing

Leverage your skills to earn extra income through side projects or freelance work. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr offer numerous opportunities. During my financial recovery, I took on freelance IT support services for small businesses, gaining hands-on experience in troubleshooting, network setup, and cybersecurity. This not only supplemented my income but also built a portfolio of successful projects and satisfied clients.

Money Management and Creating Passive Revenue Streams

Investment Income is generated from your investments, providing passive revenue that grows over time. This income is crucial for achieving financial freedom and stability.

Early and Consistent Investing

Start investing as soon as possible to take advantage of compound interest. Even small, regular investments can grow significantly over time. During my journey, I learned the importance of early and consistent investing.

Diversification

Spread your investments across different assets—stocks, bonds, real estate—to reduce risk and maximize returns. Diversification is key to a robust investment strategy.

Automated Savings

Set up automatic transfers to your investment accounts to ensure consistent contributions without the temptation to spend. Automating your savings ensures that you consistently invest towards your financial goals.

Financial Education

Continuously educate yourself about investment strategies and vehicles. Consider consulting a financial advisor for personalized advice. Understanding how to manage and grow your investments is crucial for long-term financial stability.

Reinvest Returns

Instead of withdrawing investment returns, reinvest them to accelerate growth and compound earnings. Reinvesting returns amplifies the power of compound interest, significantly boosting your investment growth over time.

The CPM Triangle in Action

By aligning your capabilities with your primary income and strategically building investment income, you solve one of life’s biggest challenges: financial stability. With financial concerns alleviated, you can focus more on your personal and spiritual goals, making your life journey not only easier but also more meaningful.

For instance, my journey from financial ruin to stability involved enhancing my IT skills, seeking better job opportunities, and consistently investing my earnings. The CPM Triangle provided a structured approach to achieving my goals, helping me navigate life’s challenges with purpose and preparedness.

The Role of Goal Setting

Setting goals is a fundamental part of personal and professional growth. It provides direction, motivation, and a clear path to follow. Here’s how to effectively set and achieve your goals:

Define Clear Goals

Your goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). For example, instead of setting a vague goal like “improve my IT skills,” specify what you want to achieve: “Earn the Microsoft 365 Certified: Administrator Expert certification within six months.”

Break Down Goals

Break your goals into smaller, manageable tasks. This makes them less overwhelming and easier to achieve. For instance, if your goal is to earn a certification, break it down into steps like researching study materials, scheduling study times, and taking practice exams.

Track Progress

Regularly monitor your progress towards your goals. This helps you stay on track and make adjustments if necessary. Use tools like journals, apps, or spreadsheets to keep track of your progress.

Stay Motivated

Keep yourself motivated by celebrating small achievements along the way. Recognize your progress and reward yourself for reaching milestones. Staying motivated is key to maintaining momentum towards your goals.

Adapt and Adjust

Life is unpredictable, and sometimes you need to adjust your goals. Be flexible and willing to adapt your plans as needed. Adjusting your goals doesn’t mean failure; it’s a part of the process of achieving long-term success.

Conclusion

Life is undeniably challenging, but by leveraging the CPM Triangle, you can navigate these challenges effectively. By enhancing your capabilities, maximizing your primary income, and building a strong portfolio of investments, you position yourself to achieve financial freedom and focus on what truly matters. Whether your ultimate goal is spiritual fulfillment, personal happiness, or another aspiration, the CPM Triangle can help you reach it with style and purpose.

My journey from a goal-less existence to a life of purpose and direction has taught me the importance of intentional actions and goal setting. Remember, your income is determined by your value, and by investing in yourself, you can achieve greater financial stability and personal fulfillment. Life is about choices. Choose wisely and ensure you arrive where you want to be.