How To Read Goal Directional Signs

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EARLY in a new year, many people make purposeful pledges to accomplish important tasks that they believe will make a significant difference in their lives. However, many of them find that their firm resolutions do not last through the year, and many of their hopeful plans remain unfulfilled.

Last week we looked at ways to determine if you should go ahead with, postpone, or call a halt to the goals that you may be contemplating for this year. Obtaining relevant information, getting expert guidance and obeying your instincts are key elements when creating a goal ‘traffic light’.

If you have already embarked upon your quest, it can be difficult to maintain a consistent pace until you arrive at your destination. The journey is often fraught with distractions, disappointments and delays that can divert you from the pathway which can successfully take you to your goal. Continue reading How To Read Goal Directional Signs →

How To Create A Goal Traffic Light

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“When faced with failure, many persons are not sure if they should continue in their current direction or choose a different path. They may end up persevering with the wrong thing or quitting a good idea too early. How do you know when to stop and when to keep working on a goal?”  – Reader

Last week we looked at how to use failures to help you achieve your goals, by learning valuable lessons that can point you to the right pathway. However, sometimes failure can actually be a sign to stop. How can you tell if your goal is worthwhile pursuing, or if you are chasing a futile dream?

Goal accomplishment would be much simpler if we had internal signals that would indicate green when it was time to go, yellow when it was appropriate to wait, and red when we should hit the brakes. This would remove confusion and doubt, and prevent us from wasting time and money.

Since you were not designed with this decision-making feature, you have to find strategies that can help you to decipher the results that you experience when you start working on your goals. Here’s how you can create a ‘traffic light’ for your goals that will indicate the right steps you need to take. Continue reading How To Create A Goal Traffic Light →

How to Move from Failure to Success With Money

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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 →

New Year’s Resolution #4: Earn More

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Over the past weeks we have been examining some of the key money goals that you should have on your 2015 resolution list. If you really want to avoid the disappointing results of past years, then you must understand exactly what is required to put you on a positive financial path.

One problem that can be very frustrating for persons who want to achieve their financial objectives is that they just don’t have enough income to do everything they would like to. As the saying goes, “It takes cash to care;” and to attain many of your goals, you need to have excess funds on hand.

More money is essential

The reality is that many people do not have enough money left over after paying their regular bills to comfortably attain many of the objectives and acquisitions that they desire. It may be almost impossible for you to live out your lofty dreams, solely on the proceeds of a regular pay cheque.

Therefore, a critical part of your game plan to have a better financial year is to look at options to increase your earning ability. Without additional sources of income, you will be challenged in your quest to manage your budget, avoid burdensome debt, and save towards building your wealth. Continue reading New Year’s Resolution #4: Earn More →

New Year’s Resolution #3: Reduce Debt

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If 2014 ended with your finances in a precarious position, then perhaps you have pledged to improve your money situation this year. Since many people don’t keep the resolutions they make at the beginning of a year, what can you do to ensure that you realise your 2015 money goals?

It’s best to review all the things you want to achieve with your money, and identify two or three objectives that would dramatically improve your finances. Then you need to carry out some small action every day that will further these goals, and you should see positive growth by year end.

An increasing number of people are currently struggling with debt issues which are crippling their ability to manage their money. If you admit that your borrowing has put your financial future in jeopardy, then reducing or eliminating debt must be one of your important plans for this year. Continue reading New Year’s Resolution #3: Reduce Debt →

Money Resolution #1: Make A Budget

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For many people, the beginning of a new year is the appointed time to get serious and make firm resolutions for positive changes in their lives. It is also customary for some of these people to give up on their self-improvement promises by the time month two or three of the year rolls around.

Very often, the reason that they fail to complete their New Year’s goals is that they did not outline exactly what they were required to do to accomplish them. It makes no sense for you to make nice-sounding resolutions without thinking through the requisite steps to realise them.

Lack of commitment to the hard work required for change to occur is another obstacle to goal achievement. If you wish to reverse an undesired behaviour, you must be willing to do whatever it takes, despite discomfort or inconvenience, to adopt new attitudes and actions. Continue reading Money Resolution #1: Make A Budget →

2015 Money Forecast

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Another year has arrived and I would like to wish all my loyal readers a Happy New Year! For me, 2014 was filled with new beginnings and break-through events. I also encountered delays in completing some goals and learned valuable financial and business lessons from my experiences.

One of the highlights of 2014 was the interaction with my readers. This column has given me an outlet to meet many persons who share my interest in personal finance or need assistance with their money concerns. I look forward to engaging with many more of you as this year progresses.

The wonderful thing about a new year is that it gives us all the opportunity to erase the mistakes and disappointments of the past twelve months and set a more positive agenda for the coming period. The past is history; now is the time to chart your course for a more prosperous future.

Try to visualise 2015 as a new day just before the dawn breaks. As you gaze out into the horizon, what kind of financial ‘weather’ do you foresee that the upcoming period will have in store? Does your money forecast for the New Year feature dark, stormy clouds, or bright, sunny skies? Continue reading 2015 Money Forecast →

Conversations at Christmas Time

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To all my faithful readers, I wish you a blessed and happy Christmas! Just for this day, try to put aside all the concerns and challenges that you may be facing with your finances, and focus on enjoying the food, fellowship and festivity with your family and friends.

If you’re celebrating with your relatives and close companions, consider yourself fortunate. There are many persons whose loved ones are no longer part of their lives, whether through death or separation, who find this time of year particularly depressing and lonely.

There are news reports of disasters – famine, disease, mass murders and kidnappings – that persons all over the world are experiencing at this time. These should help you to put your own problems into perspective when you consider the immense suffering that’s taking place elsewhere.

So eat, drink and be merry! Spend the day making cherished Christmas memories that will last for a lifetime. However, when the holiday frivolity has subsided, your thoughts may return to reflecting on the less pleasant money issues that have been pervasive throughout the year. Continue reading Conversations at Christmas Time →

Holiday Reality Check for Kids

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It’s often been said that the Christmas holiday period is best enjoyed by children (or those who are young at heart!) Most youngsters look forward to a visit from Santa Claus, who travels around the world on one special night, rewarding all the good kids with the presents they wished for.

Many other children, who are old enough to realise that the celebrated tale is just a fantasy, still expect to see their brightly wrapped gifts under the tree on Christmas morning. Going out to a few parties or festive events is also a major part of the seasonal excitement that children really want to enjoy.

For most parents or caregivers, the squeals of delight and enthusiastic hugs that they receive from their satisfied kids help to make the holidays extra special. I believe that there are very few adults who would willingly take away their children’s joy by denying them their heart’s desire at Christmas. Continue reading Holiday Reality Check for Kids →