Dec 10, 2014
The new year is fast upon us. Even though we're in the midst of
the busy holiday season, this is a convenient time to consider
the success and failures of this year and look forward to plans for
next year.
Even though the articles you're now seeing in your feeds
on "10 End-Of-The-Year Planning Ideas" can be useful, they
just don't get it done because they're not focused on the core
need.
The fundamental key of financial planning is to understand the
process. Building wealth is a process. Achieving goals is a
process. It's simple and can be readily replicated if you
understand it.
It starts with a clear desired outcome. A.K.A. a goal. Or
objective.
Then, it's a matter of laying out a strategy that is likely to
work. And that strategy is connected with specific action
steps.
And then you simply repeat the cycle over and over and over
again.
Enjoy the show. I hope that it's useful for you!
Joshua
p.s., this might be a great show to share with others. Let me
know if it's helpful.
Potential Journaling Prompts:
Simple
Goals:
What are 10 goals you'd like to accomplish during
2015?
What I Want
list
Make a list of 30 things you want to do, 30 things you want to
have, and 30 things you want to be before you die.
Ideal
Day
Think through what a perfect day would look like for
you. Describe it (in writing) with as much detail as possible.
Where are you, what does it look like, who are you with, what do
you do, etc.
Strategic Coach
Questions
1. If we were meeting three years from today, what has to have
happened during that three-year period for you to feel happy about
your progress? (Personally, Professionally, Financially and any
other category you want to think about.)
2. What are the biggest dangers you'll have to face and deal
with in order to achieve that progress?
3. What are the biggest opportunities that you have that you
would need to focus on and capture to achieve those things?
4. What strengths will you need to reinforce and maximize, and
what skills and resources will you need to develop that you don't
currently have in order to capture those opportunities?
Visioning
Exercise (excerpted from Jack Canfield's "Success
Principles" book
This is an exercise that is designed to help you clarify your
vision. Although you could do this as a strictly mental exercise by
just thinking about the answers and writing them down, I want to
encourage you to go deeper than that. If you do, you'll get deeper
answers that serve you better.
Start by putting on some relaxing music and sitting quietly in
a comfortable environment where you won't be disturbed. Then, close
our eyes and ask your subconscious mind to give you images of what
your ideal life would look like if you could have it exactly the
way you want it, in each of the following categories.
1. First, focus on the financial area of your life. What is
your annual income? What does your cash flow look like? How much
money do you have in savings and investments? What is your total
net worth?
Next...what does your home look like? Where is it located?
Does it have a view? What kind of yard and landscaping does it
have? Is there a pool or a stable for horses? What color are the
walls? What does the furniture look like? Are there paintings
hanging in the rooms? What do they look like? Walk through your
perfect house, filling in all of the details.
At this point, don't worry about how you'll get that house.
Don't sabotage yourself by saying, "I can't live in Malibu because
I don't make enough money." Once you give your mind’s eye the
picture, your mind will solve the “not enough money” challenge.
Next visualize what kind of car you are driving and any other
important possessions your finances have provided.
2. Next, visualize your ideal job or career. Where are
you working? What are you doing? With whom are you working?
What kind of clients or customers do you have? What is your
compensation like? Is it your own business?
3. Then, focus on your free time, your recreation time.
What are you doing with your family and friends in the free time
you’ve created for yourself? What hobbies are you
pursuing? What kinds of vacations do you take? What do
you do for fun?
4. Next, what is your ideal vision of your body and your
physical health? Are you free of all disease? How long
do you live to? Are you open, relaxed, in an ecstatic state
of bliss all day long? Are you full of vitality? Are
you flexible as well as strong? Do you exercise, eat good
food, and drink lots of water?
5. Then move on to your ideal vision of your relationships
with your friends and family. What is your relationship with
your family like? Who are your friends? What is the quality
of your relationships with your friends? What do those
friendships feel like? Are they loving, supportive,
empowering? What kinds of things do you do together?
6. What about the personal arena of your life? Do you
see yourself going back to school, getting training, attending
workshops, seeking therapy for a past hurt, or growing
spiritually? Do you meditate or go on spiritual retreats with
your church? Do you want to learn to play and instrument or
write your autobiography? Do you want to run a marathon or
take an art class? Do you want to travel to other
countries?
7. Finally, focus on the community you live in, the community
you’ve chosen. What does it look like when it is operating
perfectly? What kinds of community activities take place
there? What about your charitable work? What do you do
to help others and make a difference? How often do you
participate in these activities? Who are you helping?
You can write down your answers as you go, or you can do the
whole exercise first and then open your eyes and write them down.
In either case, make sure you capture everything in writing as soon
as you complete the exercise.