Category Archives: Goals

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 →

Twenty-Day Money Challenge

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As the year winds down to a close, this is a good time to reflect on the items on your ‘must-do-in-2014’ list which you may not have accomplished as yet. Although we are heading into the busy holiday season, you still have a few weeks to try to clear up some of your important, unfinished business.

As you may have discovered, making plans and executing them are vastly different undertakings. It is easier to write down what you would like to get done, than to actually do the steps required to carry out your goals. Procrastination, doubt and indecision are usually the main causes of this failure to finish.

Instead of giving up and declaring that it’s too late, aim to make the last twenty days of the year really count. Let’s look at some strategies that can help you to refocus and re-energise yourself, and get moving on this year-end goal challenge which will allow you to head into 2015 on the right footing. Continue reading Twenty-Day Money Challenge →

Knock Until Doors Are Opened

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“For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” – Matthew 7:8

Recently, in a crowded supermarket checkout lane, I viewed the trolley in front of me with dismay. It was loaded with groceries for someone’s month-end shopping trip. I didn’t look forward to being stuck for a long time in the supermarket; I was tired and ready to go home.

Although I had more than a handful of items in my own cart, I decided that I had nothing to lose by politely asking the lady in front if she would allow me to cash my goods ahead of her. I don’t normally like to inconvenience someone else who might be in a hurry to leave as well, but it was worth a try.

Happily, the lady was quite gracious in giving me her space. She even offered another person who was behind me the opportunity to exit faster as well. As I gratefully completed my transaction, I thought how often we miss opportunities to get ahead in life, simply because we fail to ask for what we need. Continue reading Knock Until Doors Are Opened →

Seek and You Will Find

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“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” — Matthew 7:7

Some persons think that if they have clear financial goals which they would like to accomplish, then they should not experience too many obstacles en route to success. They believe that if they come upon challenges which make the process difficult, then their goals were not destined to be realised.

There will be occasions when no matter how desperately you wish for your dream to come true, it will be highly unlikely to occur. This could be the case if you don’t convert your dream into a smart goal; with specific, measurable, actionable, relevant and time-based objectives that you can apply.

For example, if every month when you pay your landlord, you declare, “One day I’m going to turn the key to my own door,” but you never put plans in place for this desire to become real, then don’t expect a miraculous event to eventually bestow you with the home of your dreams. Continue reading Seek and You Will Find →

Ask and You Will Receive

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Many of the obstacles which prevent people from accomplishing their goals and dreams are not complex issues; they can often be simple problems which are relatively easy to resolve. Sometimes persons create self-made barriers without recognising that they are sabotaging their own success.

When it comes to money, people will find all types of excuses to explain why they cannot break away from their financial pressures, and take steps that will lead them into a more secure financial position. Very often, one small step is all that’s required to get the momentum flowing in the desired direction.

Trying to find solutions to perplexing money problems can be confusing for the average person who doesn’t have any experience in financial matters. Too many people think that because they don’t know the answers, then they are forced to live with their challenges forever. Continue reading Ask and You Will Receive →

How to Get Your Money Groove Back

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Recently, a reader confided that she believed that she had lost her enthusiasm for her life goals and that she felt weary whenever she thought about all the tasks she had to complete to make her dreams come true. Somewhere along the way, it seems her get-up-and-go approach had deserted her.

Although she knew exactly what she wanted to achieve and was very clear about the strategies she needed to employ, several events had distracted her from her objectives. Like an old vinyl record that was stuck in a groove, she was just spinning around in circles and not making headway on her goals.

Despite her best efforts, she felt annoyed that she was unable to break free of the malaise that was hindering her progress. What sure-fire techniques could she utilise to get back on track? she wondered. How could she regain the confidence and vitality that would be required to accomplish her goals? Continue reading How to Get Your Money Groove Back →

Financial Frustrations

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If you like to follow the progress of persons who are top achievers in the entertainment or business world, you may marvel at their fabulous lives that most of us can only fantasise about. Whether it’s Beyonce or Buffett, you might secretly envy their ability to accomplish their wildest dreams.

Most stories about the rich and famous usually show these persons enjoying the trappings of wealth, but they hardly ever give the background of what they had to endure to reach where they are today. The end result is celebrated, while the journey with its challenges and obstacles is often ignored.

When asked to share their road to success, many notable persons will reveal that they had to endure tremendous difficulties before they started seeing any results from their efforts. One common trait of those persons who make it big is a determined persistence to keep going despite their frustrations. Continue reading Financial Frustrations →

Letting Go Financially

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Last week we looked at the value of exhibiting patience when making important financial decisions. You need to be prudent with your spending and debt choices, and you should give yourself enough time to get the best results from your efforts in saving, investing and creating wealth.

While it’s advisable to stay on course with your financial goals and allow time to work in your favour, there are instances when you actually need to move quickly to get rid of unhealthy money habits or reverse unwise decisions you may have made.

When you commit to a specific financial route, you may not be certain if you should hold on because you made the right choice, or if your results indicate that you should change direction. Let’s look at some situations in which it’s time to cut loose and ‘wheel and come again,’ as we say in Jamaica. Continue reading Letting Go Financially →

Making Financial Sacrifices

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At this time of year, many people all around the world commemorate Easter, when they focus on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the Christian faith, Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice of His life brought salvation to a weary and sinful world.

The word sacrifice may conjure up images of pain and deprivation, and many persons would prefer to avoid the distress associated with making a sacrifice. However, while a sacrifice often involves difficulty, it can also be a beneficial action which brings positive results in your life.

When you make a sacrifice, you usually give up something pleasurable for something that may lead to severe discomfort, or you carry out an unselfish deed to benefit others instead of yourself. Most people are motivated to make a sacrifice when they are working for a greater good.

While it may not be your calling to make drastic life sacrifices, when it comes to your money, there are times in which sacrificial decisions will be required. Let’s look at some of the ways in which making sacrifices may help you to become financially successful. Continue reading Making Financial Sacrifices →

Continuous Improvement is Key to Money Success

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It’s incredible that an entire month in 2014 is almost finished! The swift passing of time reinforces how important it is to stop procrastinating and get focused on your goals. Before you know it, this year will be over and you might be no closer to accomplishing all your optimistic resolutions.

If you want 2014 to be different from other unfulfilled years, you need to stop writing long wish lists and start working on realising your dreams. As we have been discussing over the past weeks, your aim must be to become efficient in actualising your personal, professional and financial objectives.

We have recently shared a lot of information about how lean production, a manufacturing system developed by Toyota, can help you to improve your finances. With its focus on eliminating wasteful practices, the lean way of life can be very instrumental in helping you achieve your goals. Continue reading Continuous Improvement is Key to Money Success →