3 Secrets to Reaching Your Financial Goals in 2017

Now that December is almost over, it is time for me to solidify my goals for 2017. As always, I balance and set goals in all areas to maximize my growth as a person and as a professional. I have goals for health that include a targeted lifetime eating plan; goals for my business that emphasize professional growth; goals for creative expression that include writing and photography; goals for relaxation that include travel and a lot more NFL football games! 

When it comes to setting and reaching these goals, I use a simple and proven 3 step process that virtually assures that I reach my goals. I'm going to lay it out here as it applies to a financial goal, but recognize that this method applies to the success of reaching ANY goal. Here's what you do:

Secret #1: The first step is to be absolutely precise on the desired goal. While you may have heard this before, it's still amazing that many people I work with don't practice this. For example, I still ask people what their financial goal is and they tell me, "earn more money than I made last year." If you earn $1.50 more in 2017, then you will have reached your goal, won't you?

Instead, you need to know the exact amount. In determining that number, I always look at each month, factor in vacations, holidays, projects, etc., and then I add up each month and come up with an EXACT figure. And then I add 20% more!

Once I have that "stretch goal," I break it down again per month and write each month's specific dollar goal everywhere so I'm looking at it each day of every month. I post it on my desk, in my car, in the bathroom; I know exactly what I'm going to accomplish each and every day. 

I also adjust it per my production for that day so it is a fluid and ever changing number. Sometimes the daily amount gets bigger as the week goes on, and sometimes it gets smaller (depending on my production each day). But the point is that it is specific and exact, and I'm always aware of what my daily, monthly and yearly, specific dollar amount goal is for each and every day. 

If you haven't done this yet (especially the "add 20%"), then do it before January 1, 2017. You'll be amazed how much this will keep you motivated and into action. And you'll be amazed by your increased production!

Secret #2: Get clear on where every dollar of your income is going to go. Ask yourself: "What am I going to do with all the money I'm going to earn this year?" How much are you going to save by the end of the year? How much debt are you going to pay off? Are you going to buy a new car? Pay for your kid's education? How much do you have budgeted for vacation? How about taxes? How about retirement? 

These are just some of the questions you need to get in the habit of asking yourself this month, and you need to be completely clear on exactly where each dollar is going and where you're going to be financially by the end of 2017. Having this kind of clarity and purpose helps keep you focused and disciplined, and it has a magical effect on how the Universe helps you accomplish your specific financial goal.

Now I know that things come up, but when you have every dollar accounted for, you'll be amazed at how you can earn extra money to handle the unexpected. That's just how it works. But I have found that when I'm crystal clear on how much I'm going to earn and what I'm going to accomplish as a result of it, my focus is razor sharp and I remain motivated each and every day. 

In addition, when you know why you're working so hard and what for, you're ready to put secret number three into effect:

Secret #3: Once you are clear on your exact financial goal and know what you are going to get as a result of it, you can now practice one of the most important parts of any goal accomplishment: acting as if you've already attained your goal. If you've ever read any book on the Law of Attraction, then you know all about the importance of accepting and believing on a subconscious level that you already have what it is you're trying to accomplish. 

The Law is simple: the Universe responds to what you feel and believe to be true. If you think you're broke or that your territory is poor or that you can't do something, then you'll find evidence to support your belief and you'll act (or not act!) accordingly. If you believe the opposite, then you'll find a way to keep taking actions to accomplish what you believe is possible, and the Universe will provide you with the opportunities to confirm what you believe. 

But the key is to believe it has already happened. By acting as if you are already the top producer at your company, or by going to sleep at night already feeling the feelings of having accomplished your goal, you'll act like a magnet for the success you've already determined is yours. 

By acting as if you've accomplished your goal, you'll automatically and easily take the actions necessary to achieve them. Suddenly it will be "like you" to come in earlier, to make more calls, to qualify better, etc. I have found that acting as if is the most important thing I have ever done to catapult me into new earning levels and new conditions in my life. 

And I have found that it ALWAYS works. Whether I believe I can or I can't, I'm always right. 

There are lots of ways to achieve the "being state" of acting, feeling and experiencing your success in advance, but my favorite is to write and read affirmations that are rich in feeling and emotion. There are many books out there that will teach you how to do that, and I recommend you invest in them today. 

The bottom line is that when you follow these three secrets to successful goal attainment, you will become unstoppable. There will no longer be road blocks, and no outside element will ever permanently get in the way of your accomplishing any goal you'll set. You see, there is always a way to achieve anything you can dream of. And if you're absolutely clear on what it is, know exactly why you're going for it, and can feel and live as if you've already accomplished it, then nothing can stop you from attaining it. 

I encourage you to use this month to put these secrets into your goal planning for 2017. If you do, then next year at this time you will be reaching for even more aggressive goals because you'll have discovered the real secrets to performance in life. 

All the best for 2017!

11 Personal Finance Steps for Those Pushing 40

By the time the average person reaches the age of 40, there have been significant milestones reached.

Most are homeowners, have a career, married and had their children. At this point, they are definitely thinking about the future decades in life. 

To be more specific, personal finances.

Emergency fund - If there isn't one already set up, now is the time to make it happen. Without money set aside for unexpected costs, people turn to credit cards or worse yet, payday loans. Going into the second phase of your life with pile of debt or bad credit isn't going to help. Get that emergency fund built so you don't have to depend on third party money.

Insurance - No more putting this one off. Life, disability, and even rental will save you and your family if something really bad happens. 

Shop for the best premiums that will cover all of your needs. 

Retirement accounts - Make the deposits automatic through your paycheck. You will never miss the money nor forget to pay. Too often we save these kinds of payments for anything that is left at the end of the month. It's time to make this payment first on the list. 

Financial Adviser - You may be doing a great job managing your money, but it would be best to sit with a professional and let them look at things. Even a few small tweaks to your plan may make all the difference for your future. 

Check your credit - Make an effort at least once a year to check your credit history. You may need to correct errors, dispute debt that doesn't belong to you or request to remove an outdated negative report. With a free credit check from each of the credit bureaus every 12 months, there is no excuse not to. 

Increase your tax knowledge - Become proficient on income tax. You may save money if you familiarize yourself with all the deductions and credits available to you. Hundreds or even thousands of dollars over the rest of your life add up. 

Invest in a home - If you haven't done so already, it's a good investment for your future. It doesn't fit everyone situation, but if you can, you will provide stability for your family. 

Maximize employment benefits - Does your employer offer to match retirement contributions? What are you waiting for? Other benefits you may be entitled to are; pretax transportation, tuition reimbursement, employee assistance, wellness programs, financial planning and health savings. Your employer may even offer something different. Unless you ask, you may be missing out. 

Make a will - This should have been done in your thirties so get to it. Especially if you have children who are still minors, it is important to spend the time and money and hire an attorney to create a solid estate plan. 

Learn investing basics - You want to make the best choices for your money. The more you know, the smarter those choices will be. Take a personal finance course in your community college to help get you started. 

Pay off your debt - Debt cripples finances. You will limit future plans by carrying past debt. Make a point to steadily payoff that debt and rebuild your credit. You will have more money to invest once it is gone.

Growing To Bring Out Your True Potential Doesn't Happen Overnight

How about taking a few minutes of your time in order to learn simple steps on improving the rest of your life?

If you pay attention to what we have to say, that is what this article can do for you. 

Read the tips and tricks that we have provided for you, so that you can start to reach your true potential.  

When dealing with self improvement, not making a decision means forgoing an opportunity. Do not fear decisions that need to be made, even if you do not have all of the information that you need to be sure of the decision. 

Every successful decision that you make yields confidence and assertiveness. Even when your decision is incorrect, you can learn a lot from the mistake that you made. When you make the incorrect decision, learn from this, and make sure that it never happens again.  

Take a notebook around with you to jot ideas in. You could for instance carry a small notebook with you, or use an app on your phone. Just write down what their idea or thought is and then develop it more when you have the time and are feeling creative.  

Self improvement begins with becoming a leader. There are many different facets of leadership, but the one people talk about most is the ability to win friends and influence people. Identify the leadership qualities you possess. 

What events have impacted you the most in your life? How did you use those events to better yourself? What is your best attribute that makes you a team player? By carefully evaluating these questions, you can increase your awareness of your ability to function well in a team setting.  

You should always have an idea as to what you personal values are before you develop a plan for personal growth. Focusing on areas you don't value, doesn't make sense. Instead, focus on all that is important in your life, and work to improve those things. If you do this, you can make lifelong positive changes, both personally and professionally.  

Write up a motivational speech for yourself. Make a self-empowering post-it note or note card. You can take this with you wherever you go, and review it when you want motivation. You could also record a list of your positive traits and watch them on video. What is the reason?  

Accept your limitations before engaging in self improvement. Realizing your place in the big scheme of things is freeing. You will begin to understand that there are many ways to improve. You can then focus your attention on positive growth and development.  

Write a pep talk for yourself. Write down all of your good characteristics. You can take this with you wherever you go, and review it when you want motivation. Another great idea is to recite the list while filming yourself, so that you can view the footage regularly. Is there a benefit?  

Self improvement does not happen quickly, as this article has shown. However, if you invest the effort in yourself, you will surely benefit and grow from the process. These suggestions should assist you on your journey.

How To Set Aside $5 Every Day

The fact that many Americans have almost given up on saving money is very alarming. Rising food and fuel costs combined with a tight labor market may add to this trend. But could we all try a little harder to save money? 








See how saving a very small amount can help. 




Could you save a dollar a day? Could you save $5 a day? Most of us really do waste a few dollars each day by purchasing things that we do not need. 










Even if we need these things, there might be much cheaper ways to purchase some items.. You may be thinking that your budget is already very tight and there is no way that you are wasting any money. But a lot of us could be more frugal.  




Do you stop for a coffee each day at one of those fancy coffee shops? There is even a new phrase for this called the latte factor. Let's say that you spend five dollars a day on coffee plus a tip or coffee plus a fancy cookie. I am certainly not trying to take away your coffee and cookies. We all deserve a treat. 















But consider this. Let us say that you do spend five dollars every day on this treat. instead you could put the five dollars into an account that earns two percent interest for 5 years. You could have over nine thousand dollars at the end of this time if you simply saved that money. But of course you may be asking how you get your coffee and cookie! 


















You could brew your own coffee at home for pennies. Invest in a nice cup with a lid that you can take with you on the road. You can also bake a very large batch of cookies one every few weeks. You can do that for pennies as well.




If you do not want to make your own coffee and cookies, you can still probably find less expensive places to purchase these snacks in advance. If you take these things to work, maybe you could even set up a pool with coworkers so everybody takes turns bringing coffee and cookies. I bet you will still save some money! 




I just used coffee and cookies as an example.












This applies to other things that may even get more expensive and out of hand. Sometimes I get busy and fail to plan for shopping trips. That is when I make mistakes. When I fail to plan, I find I have to stop at the convenience store a couple of times every week. The prices are much higher at the little shop than they are at the large market. So I find myself paying a convenience tax. 




When I take the time to plan my shopping, I guy almost everything I need at the right store where things are lower priced.












Groceries might come from the market or big box store. Personal items might come from the discounts store. But the convenience store should be a last resort. 




Cutting out some obvious waste could help you save more money. Why don't you see how much you might save?