Don’t Settle for Less – Aim Higher

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Recently, I conducted a training session for sales persons from various Caribbean countries, where I outlined the budgeting techniques which would allow them to manage their income effectively. I also demonstrated how using a budget could help them to set and achieve their sales goals.

One participant from a smaller island explained that it was hard to stick to her budget because she often received widely fluctuating bills from a utility company in her country. She could pay as much as fifty per cent more on a bill, without actually increasing her usage of the service.

“How can you manage your money when your budgeted expenses are not consistent?” she asked. Continue reading Don’t Settle for Less – Aim Higher →

Money Mission: Complete Your Tasks

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At the start of every month, we have been looking at a specific issue that can affect your ability to accomplish the goals which you resolved to work on for this year. You can only make progress with your objectives if you continually place them in the forefront of your mind.

One major challenge to goal achievement is our propensity to get started on a project but give up on the process before it is complete. We get a sense of satisfaction once we begin carrying out the required steps, feeling content enough to know that we have started on the road to success.

Cross over the goal line
We may excuse the fact that we actually never finished the task at hand, saying that we are still on track. However, when it comes to goal achievement, you don’t get a ‘good effort’ in your homework book just for trying. A goal that’s only partially completed is a goal that has not been achieved. Continue reading Money Mission: Complete Your Tasks →

Financial Freedom at Last!

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On August 1, our nation commemorated another Emancipation Day; a time when Jamaicans can reflect on the challenging periods in our country’s history and give thanks that the practice of human slavery was abolished. Personal freedom is a right that we should never take for granted.

According to Dictionary.com, ’emancipate’ means to free from bondage, restraint or influence. A person who has been held back by a restrictive system, physical impediment or an inhibiting force will be emancipated when the thing that prevents him from moving freely is eliminated.

While we can celebrate the fact that our citizens are no longer bound by the organised structure of slavery, the reality is that many persons are still shackled by the chains of financial bondage. Their money problems hinder them from living their desired lifestyles and accomplishing their goals. Continue reading Financial Freedom at Last! →

Is Your Financial Life a Circus?

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Recently, thousands of Jamaicans got the opportunity to experience a variety of circus performers in action at Circus in the City held in Kingston. Energetic acrobats, daring stuntmen, amusing clowns and a mesmerising magician were some of the acts which were present at the event.

As I watched the performers entertain the audience with their skilful feats, I recognised that there were certain similarities between the circus activities and the many challenges people face with money. Here are some of the ways in which your financial world could be likened to a circus:

JUGGLING OBJECTS

Juggling is the art of manipulating several objects at once with your hands. The circus juggler uses extreme dexterity to toss several balls, clubs, rings or other props into the air, without letting the items touch the ground. It is one of the oldest forms of entertainment practised throughout the ages. Continue reading Is Your Financial Life a Circus? →

The Slight Edge Brings Major Results

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I have often wondered why some people seem to get ahead in the game of life, while many others only sit on the sidelines and watch life pass them by. What is the defining factor that allows two persons with similar circumstances and opportunities to achieve vastly different results?

As a money coach, I usually search for strategies to help people to accomplish their personal and financial objectives. There is a wealth of information about goal achievement available in books, CDs, training programmes and on the Internet for anyone who wants to learn more about this topic.

Searching for the right formula
I recently read a resource that appeared to hold the answer to one of my basic questions about personal achievement. In his book, The Slight Edge, businessman and author Jeff Olson promised to reveal the one secret component that could help people to achieve success in life. Continue reading The Slight Edge Brings Major Results →

A Dollar for Your Thoughts

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The phrase “a penny for your thoughts” is usually expressed when asking someone to voice an opinion on an issue being discussed, or when trying to discover the ideas which might be occupying the mind of someone lost in deep contemplation.

The earliest recorded use of the idiom is traced back to the 16th century when a United States penny, or one cent, was much more valuable than it is today. Given the current purchasing power of a penny, it might be considered almost disdainful to offer someone a cent for their opinions!

Our falling Jamaican dollar

I recently recalled this old saying when the rate of exchange of the Jamaican dollar to the United States counterpart first traded at about $100 for US$1 in June 2013. Our embattled currency symbol, which now had a value of less than one US penny, had hit a dismal new low. Continue reading A Dollar for Your Thoughts →

Money Mission: Lose Your Excuses!

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We’re now at the halfway mark in the year, and it’s incredible that six months have already passed us by. Time marches steadily on and it certainly isn’t waiting on us to join the parade! The year 2013 will disappear before you realise it; how successful have you been at keeping your resolutions?

In assessing the actions you have taken thus far towards achieving your goals, how would you rate your progress? Are you enthusiastic about your development, underwhelmed with your results, or have you simply resigned yourself to yet another year of missed opportunities?

Six months to succeed
The good news is that you still have the ability to make this year count; there are still six months left to pursue your objectives. It’s now a great time to identify the recurring issues which may prevent you from moving forward, and refocus your energies towards success. Continue reading Money Mission: Lose Your Excuses! →

Business Lessons from the NBA Finals

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I enjoy watching several sports, and I especially appreciate basketball for its fast-paced action. It’s quite entertaining to observe the highly competitive players battle with drive and determination for over 48 minutes, until one team achieves its ultimate objective of winning the game.

Recently, Game 6 of the 2013 NBA finals, which was fiercely contested by the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs, gave me much more than just vicarious pleasure. I was extremely inspired by the action, as I marvelled at the twists and turns of one of the finest games in basketball history.

As the game progressed along to its nail-biting conclusion, I realised that the setbacks and successes the teams had experienced provided several lessons that could be applied to the world of business. Here are some of the entrepreneurial insights that I gained from the NBA finals: Continue reading Business Lessons from the NBA Finals →

Creating a Time Budget

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This month, the focus has been on getting organised so that you can be better equipped to accomplish your goals. If you study the habits of successful people, you will recognise that they all learned how to effectively organise and control their resources to achieve great things.

One of the most important skills that will be required for goal attainment is time management. Your plans for your future will not be realised unless you have a proper time utilisation strategy to carry out the necessary tasks. One way to accomplish this objective is to create a time budget.

Design a schedule for your time

To budget your time, you should first design a timetable that lists blocks of time on the left-hand side in half-hour increments, and the seven days of the week along the top of the page. To make this process easier, you can simply download a time budget spreadsheet on www.financiallysmart.org. Continue reading Creating a Time Budget →

Expect the Best, Prepare for the Worst

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For many people, thinking about the subject of money brings on negative emotions ranging from mild confusion, constant frustration, sheer anxiety to full-blown panic. It’s unfortunate that such an essential part of our lives can sometimes cause us to experience so much mental pain.

Very often, persons will create their own money misery with their poor financial habits. Splurging in excess of their income, not planning for upcoming expenses, ignoring the need to save, and not making efforts to earn part-time income are some of the practices that can cause distress.

While careless spending and budget shortfalls are the usual suspects for money worries, sometimes a lack of organisation in your financial affairs can bring unwarranted concern. Uncertainty about the true state of your finances can lead you to be overly fearful about your financial future. Continue reading Expect the Best, Prepare for the Worst →