When I first learned about goal-setting, I thought it was mostly a tool for determining financial aspirations. I promptly wrote down my personal goals, huge numbers beyond anything I\u2019d ever achieved before.<\/p>\n
Not much happened to move me ahead financially and eventually I gave up in despair.<\/p>\n
Was I destined to be a loser in the Money Game?<\/p>\n
Happily, I wasn\u2019t, but it took some inner work before I began to see out changes. Here’s how I moved the numbers on paper into my bank account.<\/p>\n
\u00b0 Understand the four uses of money.<\/strong> It may seem obvious, but many people remain oblivious to the fact that when it comes managing money, there are four very different activities involved.<\/p>\n We can earn it, spend it, save it, invest it.<\/p>\n Most of us excel in one or two of these areas, but neglect the entire spectrum. Money ease comes when we\u2019re wise about all four arenas and give thoughtful attention to each.<\/p>\n Incidentally, this is easier to do when we are self-employed and not hampered by a salary.<\/p>\n \u00b0 Define enough.<\/strong> I was first introduced to this idea by Charles Handy in his wonderful book, The Hungry Spirit<\/em>. It was a revelation to me.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a bit of what he says about that. \u201cIn most of life we can recognize \u2018enough.\u2019 we know when we have had enough to eat, when the heating or air conditioning is enough, when we have had enough sleep or done enough preparation.<\/p>\n \u201cMore than enough is then unnecessary, and can even be seen as counterproductive.\u201d<\/p>\n He goes on to suggest that if we haven\u2019t defined what enough means when it comes to finances, we\u2019ll never be satisfied, never knowing the feeling of abundance.<\/p>\n This is, of course, something each of us needs to define for ourselves.<\/p>\n \u00b0 Know your own numbers.<\/strong> How many people aspire to millionaire status assuming that this magical milestone will solve all their problems, meet all their needs?<\/p>\n Then there’s the current popularity of programs offering to teach you how to achieve a six-figure income.<\/p>\n Really?<\/p>\n Thinking that there’s some magical number\u2014determined by someone else\u2014that will fit us is ridiculous (and, perhaps, harmful).<\/p>\n \u00b0 Read this first.<\/strong> A brilliant piece from the New York Times<\/em> puts Money Happiness\u00a0into perspective. I urge you to check it out for yourself.<\/p>\n