New Year’s Resolutions OUT–New Year’s Aspirations IN

 

New Year’s resolutions generally include typical “have-to-do” items. Many people have travelled down the same route, year after year, only to meet failure rather than success when attempting to follow through with their resolutions.  I did, too, until I discovered a more effective New Year’s ritual.  

Sarah Ban Breathnach, author of the book, Simple Abundance – A Daybook of Comfort and Joy, suggested that we write down our most private aspirations rather than resolutions. Perhaps the magic is in our approach.  Perhaps words like, “resolutions” and “goals” are too harsh, overwhelming, or even intimidating.   Aspirations, on the other hand, appear to breathe life into our lists.  Sarah begins her book with an entry for January 1:  A Transformative Year of Delight and Discovery.

“New Year’s Day.  A fresh start.  A new chapter in life waiting to be written.  New questions to be asked, embraced, and loved. Answers to be discovered and then lived in this transformative year of delight and self-discovery.

Today carve out a quiet interlude for yourself in which to dream, pen in hand.  Only dreams give birth to change. What are your hopes for the future as you reflect on the years that have passed?  Gradually, as you become curator of your own contentment, you will learn to embrace the gentle yearnings of your heart.  But this year, instead of resolutions, write down your most private aspirations. Those longings you have kept tucked away until the time seems right.  Trust that now is the time. Ask the questions. The Simple Abundance path brings confidence that the answers will come and we will discover – day by day – how to live them.

Talk a leap of faith and begin this wondrous new year by believing.  Believe in yourself. And believe that there is a loving Source – a Sower of Dreams – just waiting to be asked to help you make your dreams come true.”   

With this new information in hand, perhaps you are now better prepared to achieve your goals, dreams and aspirations.  The task won’t appear as daunting. Why don’t you give it a try?

Happy New Year!

Do You Read?

When we always do what we have always done, it’s because we didn’t know there is a better way.  Reading and applying new techniques are encouraging ways to improve our lives.  When you are learning how to manage money, there is so much to know.  Financial literacy programs encourage people to take control of their money.  Numerous books have been written on the subject. Whether it is basic money management or complex investing skills you want to learn, this new-found knowledge can change your life.

"When you give someone a book, you don't give him just paper, ink, and glue. You give him the possibility of a whole new life." – Christopher Morley.

I wasn’t always a reader. Picking up a book to read was not my idea of a fun time. The only books I read then were text books. This happened to be a requirement to pass the classes.  Then something profound happened.  I uncovered a love for learning. My perception changed and so did my behavior.  I became eager to see what authors were saying and what I could possibly learn from them.  Books suddenly became valuable assets.  I remember the first finance book I read, Success! The Glenn Bland Method.  This book has sold 600,000 copies since it was published in 1975.  Many books like it contain a wealth of information, knowledge, and wisdom intended to improve our lives.  If you are not a reader, I encourage you to become one.

Books breathe inspiration, motivate you, and encourage you to take action. 

• In Gail Vaz-Oxlade’s book, Debt Free Forever, she doesn’t mince words.  “You want your budget to be so tight it squeaks.”   

• In Smart Couples Finish Rich, David Bach helps you determine the true purpose of money in your life.

• Suze Orman’s book, The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom, uncovers fears you may unknowingly have about money. 

There are valid reasons for seeking wisdom from these experts. You e-x-p-a-n-d your knowledge in areas where you may feel intimidated.  Your new-found wisdom will build confidence within you so the possibility of a whole new life becomes a reality. For example:  Gail Vaz-Oxlade says in order to have a balanced budget, you need to implement savings in addition to paying down debt.  This well-known money authority teaches an action step you may not have understood or implemented.   

Occasionally people find their financial circumstances embarrassing so they are reluctant to speak to anyone about their financial problems.  Suze Orman writes, “In our culture it’s okay to talk about therapy we’ve gone through, marital problems we’ve had, our deepest intimate secrets – but telling the truth about money, confessing our worries to our children, our parents, our friends, just isn’t done.  Money is our secret both in private and in public.”   If you happen to be in this type of situation, seeking solutions from financial planning books may be the first step to addressing your money problems until you feel comfortable talking with a financial planner.  Another advantage of having advice in writing is you can repeatedly review the information.  It’s like following a recipe. You can review what the author said multiple times until it makes sense to you.       

Finding better ways to manage your finances can only mean one thing – “More Money For You!”    More money leads to new opportunities. You can improve the life of your family and just as important, you can improve the lives of others with your donations to worthy causes. If you are looking for even the slightest insight to money management, think about picking up a book on the subject.  Start with small baby steps. Find fifteen minutes in a day to read.  Small progress is better than no progress. Earl Nightingale said, “If a person will spend one hour a day on the same subject for five years, that person will be an expert on that subject.”