Category Archives: Goals

Money Lessons from the Animal Kingdom

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Recently, a reader commented that a lack of discipline was one of the primary reasons many people were not successful in their personal and financial goals. He noted that most animals, unlike many humans, were disciplined in their everyday habits, which resulted in a sense of order and efficiency in nature.

I thought about the many wild animals that exhibit very civilised attitudes towards carrying out their purposes. Although human beings might be more developed than other creatures, there are many valuable lessons that we can learn from them. Let’s examine some animal behaviours that can teach us important truths about the achievement of financial goals.

Envision A Better Life Like A Caterpillar

I believe that it would probably be easy for the lowly caterpillar to despair as it crawls along the pathways of life. Inching along at a painfully slow pace as it tries to eke out a living, dodging the threats of extermination from humans who despise its very existence. Why should a caterpillar dare to dream of a better life? Continue reading Money Lessons from the Animal Kingdom →

Money Lessons from Usain Bolt

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As 100m sprinter Usain Bolt propelled his way through the finish line in an astonishing world-record time of 9.58 seconds, Jamaica and the rest of the world celebrated his magnificent race. At the 2009 Berlin World Athletics Championships, Bolt definitely cemented his place in history as a legendary sports hero.

As I reflected on his amazing career, I realised that Bolt is more than an inspiration to aspiring athletes; he is also an example of what it takes to be successful with money. Here are some of the lessons that Bolt can teach us about our finances:

Examine What You’re Doing Wrong

My earliest memory of Bolt’s running was of a youngster who seemed to be struggling as he raced. Biting on his chain with a pained grimace on his face, he was a far cry from the smooth sprinting machine that he is today. Many of us find the financial race similarly difficult – despite our best efforts, it seems that we don’t have what it takes to win. Continue reading Money Lessons from Usain Bolt →

On Your Mark, Get Set, Goal!

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“The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.” – Chinese proverb

The process of achieving your goals, whether personal, career or financial, can sometimes feel like a never-ending journey. In over eight years of coaching people about money, I have discovered that most persons don’t realise that getting what they want out of life is often easier than they think.

In today’s world where instant gratification is a common expectation, many people think that if the desired goal does not appear in their laps within a few months, it means that their objective is an impossible mission. This mistaken belief is the number one reason why people fail to reach their targets and continue to ‘lead lives of quiet desperation’. Continue reading On Your Mark, Get Set, Goal! →

The 3 M’s of Money

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“In a recent column you said that it was possible for persons to learn how to be financially literate. I am tired of always being low on funds and big in debt. What are some of the things that I should be doing in order to be successful with money?”

Being smart with money is not hard once you learn and start practising some basic financial principles. After many years of being financially clueless, I was able to completely turn around my money situation once I discovered the secrets of financially successful people.

These revelations came after years of reading books about money, searching the Internet, watching financial television shows and interviewing wealthy persons.

Based on my research and personal experience, there are three things you need to focus on: managing the money you already have, multiplying money for growth, and maintaining your money to last throughout your life and beyond. Continue reading The 3 M’s of Money →

Are You Afraid Of Your Financial Future?

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“I work in the tourism sector and I’m worried that the current international financial situation will cause me to lose my job. I don’t know how I’ll be able to manage without this income, and I’m feeling really scared right now about my future.”

The global economic crisis is having a negative impact on a wide cross section of the society – large conglomerates and small businesses, company executives and line staff, wealthy people and the poor. Institutions and individuals alike are reeling from the repercussions of a financial world in turmoil.

A reader recently asked me how it was possible for me to advise people in this financially challenging period. The reality is that whether times are good or bad, the principles that govern money remain constant.

If you understand the essentials of how to manage, multiply and maintain your money, you will always be able to keep a sound footing even in the midst of a financial storm.

Continue reading Are You Afraid Of Your Financial Future? →

Financial challenges in a tough economy

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“I am really confused about how to make ends meet in these times. The cost of living is at an all time high, my salary can’t pay all my bills, and the returns on my investments are a joke. I really need some practical advice on how to make some more money to survive.”

If you haven’t already figured it out, we are living in tough economic times. The global financial markets are experiencing a frightening meltdown that’s affecting both multinationals and mom-and-pop stores, small savings accounts and large investment portfolios, consumers and retirees.

Here in Jamaica, the financial heads have admitted the obvious – we’re all going to be impacted by the international monetary woes in one way or the other.

Under normal conditions, making enough money to meet all our needs can be difficult. In this financial landscape it may seem almost impossible. Let’s look at some of the challenges that are currently impacting the standard ways of making money: Continue reading Financial challenges in a tough economy →

Is Procrastination Destroying Your Financial Dreams?

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“I have a big problem with procrastination. I keep putting off important tasks and this is affecting my finances. I hadn’t paid income taxes for several years and I was happy when I heard of the tax amnesty. I delayed getting an accountant to sort things out and now I have to pay significant penalties that could have been avoided.

“I also lost out on renting the perfect office space because I didn’t act fast enough and someone else jumped on it. My life is littered with missed opportunities caused by me dragging my feet. What can I do to cure this horrible habit?”

Don’t worry – you are not alone in your procrastinating habits. I too have experienced that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach after missing out on a great deal or the chance of a lifetime just because I took too long to take action.

Almost everyone procrastinates on important issues, whether it’s starting an exercise programme, clearing away clutter, or doing homework. However, when the delaying tactics have to do with money, then procrastination can bring tremendous personal and monetary cost. Continue reading Is Procrastination Destroying Your Financial Dreams? →

How to succeed at any goal

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Are you having difficulty achieving your financial goals? Do you desperately want to buy a house of your own, spend a nice vacation in an all-inclusive, or earn enough to stop living off credit cards? Are life’s challenges intervening to make your desires seem like impossible fantasies?

Sometimes our goals are elusive because we’re not taking all the steps needed to attain them. Get back on track to achieving your objectives by following this four-step system:

The Dream Process

“We’ve got to have a dream if we are going to make a dream come true.” –  Denis Waitley

The first step in improving your current financial picture is to envision yourself in a better situation. To start the dream process, become child-like in your thoughts and dream big. Visualise yourself living out your dream – see what’s around you, hear the sounds and smell the scents, taste and feel the experience.

Get to the root of your dream and ask yourself what emotional need it satisfies for you. Your desire for your own home might really be a need for security; a new car might bring the self-confidence you crave. Then use that strong need to bolster your determination that the dream must one day come true. Use visual reminders to help you continuing focusing on your dream. Continue reading How to succeed at any goal →

When Less is More

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Last week we looked how we could really create a prosperous New Year by putting some of the universal laws to work in your favour – the Law of Abundance, the Law of Attraction and the Law of Accumulation. According to the experts, diligently applying these success principles can increase wealth and money into your life.

Unfortunately, my New Year brought an unwelcome present in the form of a vicious flu bug which relegated me to bed for several days. With plenty of time on my hands to reflect on what’s truly important, I thought that if I had to choose between wealth and health, my prosperity wishes would be out the door in an instant.

What’s the point of being rich if you don’t feel good? Sure, you could afford to pay for a really nice hospital room, but you’d still be sick and miserable. Continue reading When Less is More →

It’s Not Too Late in 2008!

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Recently, a client, while reflecting on the amount of time she had wasted over the years in getting her finances under control, said that the coming year was going to be different for her. “It’s not too late in 2008!” she exclaimed, reaffirming her decision to carry out all her plans and persevere on the road to financial freedom. “Yes,” I agreed, “2008 is going to be great!“

I think that her impassioned cry, “It’s not too late in 2008!“ is an appropriate theme for all of us as we face the New Year. Looking back on 2007, I’m sure that many of us may have regrets about what we didn’t achieve financially. We might wonder- what’s the point of making New Year’s resolutions if they never get carried out?

Let’s decide to forgive ourselves for all our budget-busting spending sprees, missed investing opportunities, and failure to makes plans for our financial future; and become determined to make 2008 a financial success. Continue reading It’s Not Too Late in 2008! →