Tag Archives: Financial Success

How to Move from Failure to Success With Money

One of my favourite self-improvement books is How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling by Frank Bettger. In this bestseller that has stood the test of time, Bettger explains how he reversed a pattern of failed sales attempts to become one of the top-performing salesmen of his era.

What I especially appreciate about Bettger’s tale is that he didn’t hide his embarrassing stories from his readers; instead he used the lessons he learnt from his mistakes to reveal the right way forward. For Bettger, his failures were only stepping stones to his ultimate success.

Bettger’s memoir confirms that even though you may have made poor financial choices in the past, once you understand where you went awry and find out what is required to correct your errors, then it is possible for you to become successful. In fact, failure can sometimes help you to achieve. Continue reading How to Move from Failure to Success With Money

I Have A Dream

After writing about some of my concerns for the economic future of this country last week, I was heartened to receive responses from readers who indicated that they too, were anxious to play a part in restoring Jamaica to a prosperous state.

A few persons shared with me the development plans that had been drafted by organisations with which were affiliated. Although there are several groups of well-thinking citizens with inspired proposals, it appears that we are not as efficient in actualising our projects to create change. Why can’t we seem to move from idea stage to action phase?

In reflecting on the possible reasons for this inability to progress, I realised that our country’s financial problems are not unlike those faced by individuals. While many of us may think about how we want to improve our lives, somehow we just can’t seem to turn our thoughts into reality. Continue reading I Have A Dream

Money Lessons from the Mango Tree

There’s no time quite as enjoyable for the typical Jamaican as mango season. Every sense is stimulated as the sight, smell, feel and taste of a delicious mango will herald an enjoyable experience. Even hearing the words, ‘Would you like a mango?‘ can bring a heady anticipation of coming delights.

It may not be immediately obvious how eating a juicy mango could lead me to reflect about money. However, because I’m immersed in money issues — coaching people with money problems, reading material from money experts and developing resources to teach others about money — then anything and everything becomes an opportunity to discover something new about money.

I have recently been sharing some of the money lessons that I learned from books and CDs, but there are also everyday occurrences that continue to teach me about basic financial principles. If you have a desire to uncover the secrets to financial success, then even the simple realities of life will supply you with useful insights.

Here are some of the lessons that I learned from observing the mango tree and its fruit. Continue reading Money Lessons from the Mango Tree

Places to learn about money

“Your recent discussions on the three money principles have made me realise how much I need to learn about financial success. Where can I go to get simple information that can guide me in being better with my finances?”

The old adage, ‘every cloud has a silver lining’, has really been proven true in these challenging economic times. The global financial meltdown has put the spotlight on the ways we have been mismanaging money, and has reinforced the need for everyone to become financially literate.

Unfortunately, personal financial training is not available through the school system, so most people have to find ways to educate themselves. Here are a few ways that the average person can learn more about money: Continue reading Places to learn about money

How To Maintain Your Money

Why do some people achieve long-lasting financial success while others struggle with money for their entire lives? After years of seeking the answer to this mystery, I have discovered that the route to prosperity lies in the knowledge and application of some basic principles that govern money.

We have been examining the three tenets of money success – managing, multiplying and maintaining your money. After making smart use of the money you already have and making determined efforts to earn more, the final key is making plans to preserve your wealth for your lifetime and beyond.

Here are the four essential steps to maintaining your money: Continue reading How To Maintain Your Money

Needed: A National Financial Literacy Programme

“I’m 50 years old and I know I have not always made the best financial decisions. I have a lot of credit card debt and recently lost some money that wasn’t even mine in an alternative investment scheme.

“Now that I’m approaching retirement I realise that I’m in serious trouble, but I really don’t know how to do any better. Is it possible to learn how to manage my money properly?”

Congratulations on your honesty in admitting that you have not been the best steward of your money. However, you shouldn’t feel too discouraged, as most people make money mistakes throughout their lifetime.

Your story is quite familiar to me. For many years I, too, was guilty of making poor financial decisions. In fact, I was probably worse off than you, because I was clueless about the extent of my money problems.

I was fortunate to become employed to a leading financial institution, where for the first time I encountered persons who were money-savvy. I then began a journey to learn what other people knew about moneymaking that I was definitely unaware of. Continue reading Needed: A National Financial Literacy Programme