The ordinary (and perhaps even lazy) person's sure and steady way to wealth and happiness.
The "secrets" to better money management and perhaps even "riches". No, really there are no secrets. It's all simple basic common-sense.
I have seen statistics that reveal that 95% of Americans after working all their lives retire with less than $2500 in cash. Amazing! Don't be one of the 95% of the population, who depend on the government, charity
or family to maintain a bare minimum standard of living on retirement.
Now, how to do it...
Firstly,
Find a quiet place (like the woods or a deserted beach) and let that still inner voice talk to you. What do you really want most out of life: Is it happiness, health, money, financial security or doing good deeds, being a good parent, wife, husband, etc.? Set goals for ALL areas of your life: family, work, leisure, sport, spiritual and so on. Where do you plan to be in 1,2,3,5 gears time. Then WRITE them down.
Let your imagination "run riot". Think even "the impossible" it may be far closer than you think.
"Dream the impossible dream".
"Whatever the mind can conceive, can be achieved." - Goethe
Whatever is ardently desired, enthusiastically act upon, must inevitably come to pass."
The main points:
* Without financial independence, you are a slave to money.
* Achieving financial independence will take time, dedication and lots of hard work... but will be worth it in the end.
* Remember, money isn't everything. It has been said that 'money is the root of all evil", but only an obsession and love of money for it's own sake, I believe, is bad. Substantial amounts of money can be used for charitable purposes, if that is your wish ... but "charity begins at home".
* Nearly everyone has the ability to be successful, but very few have the desire as well as the commitment to make the sacrifices necessary to achieve wealth.
1. Accept that you can achieve financial success and make a commitment to yourself to attain it. It is within your grasp if you really want it. Really BELIEVE it - that is the most important step. Only then will the incredible power of the human mind work out a means of achieving it. Reject the idea that work is simply something you have to do until the age of retirement.
2. Ask yourself this: Where do you want to be in 2,5,10 years time? Set goals that excite you. If you could do absolutely anything with your life, what would you do. If you had unlimited money or found out you only had a month to live, what would you do? Write them down.
3. Establish your current financial position. What is the cash inflow and outflow. Horrors! Which areas can be improved upon? Everything!
4. Develop your NEW plans. Decide what action you are going to take that will move you closer to the achievement of your goals? All goals should be specific and have a time constraint.
5. Closely monitor the performance of your investments and your rate of savings.
6. Try to put extra savings into investment (it could be your own business)
7. Review and reward yourself annually if your targets are met.
8. Pursue your personal goals and business ideas with all you've got. With real PASSION and PURPOSE. If you really BELIEVE In them, they are far more likely to be achieved.
9. Still try to live a BALANCED life... or as balanced as you can make it. Money doesn't buy happiness; yet I'd rather be unhappy in comfort!
10. The highest cost of all is the cost of waiting to TAKE ACTION to change your current circumstances in life (as 94% of the population apparently are dissatisfied with their situations. It is up to you to do things differently. So take ACTION now- to change course. You get only one shot at life, so make the most of it.
To recap... in a line...
THE THREE LEGS TO GROWING RICH
Like the three legs of a stool. All are equally important in ensuring financial independence. The key:
MAKING MONEY + SAVING IT + INVESTING WISELY = FINANCIAL SUCCESS
Have a PLAN, then put it into ACTION.
"People don't plan to fail, but fail to plan."
Always remember,
* True prosperity is created from within. All prosperity is created in the mind. You are only as wealthy, happy or as prosperous as WHAT YOU FEEL... and what you make up your mind to be. And money is not everything. For me, health, family and happiness are far far more important considerations.
SUMMARY:
To conclude...
N.B: 99% of the population do not achieve financial success, because they lack the real COMMITMENT to achieve financial independence. I believe they are too busy earning a living to survive to really THINK about how to make big money. Really use the unlimited power of your CREATIVE IMAGINATION. However, it takes a great commitment in TIME, MONEY and ENERGY and patience to achieve ultimate financial independence. So make that effort and INVEST IN YOURSELF, first. Because (can I begin a sentence with a "because") that is the best investment one can make in a lifetime!
Aim high, dream high.
If you aim for the tree tops, you might not get off the ground... so why not aim for the stars.
Good luck
Craig Lock
About the author:
Craig Lock has been involved in the personal finance field for over twenty-five years in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. He is now an author of six published books with another twelve being published and marketed on the Internet. Craig has studied and written extensively on money matters: articles, brochures for financial institutions and books. He is presently living in beautiful slow New Zealand waiting for the next adventure life has in store for him.