2013 is coming to a close faster than you wanted it to (just like last year!).
You haven’t paid off your Visa like you planned. And your MasterCard limit had to be raised. It wasn’t your fault that your son broke his arm and blasted your plans. You worked as hard as you could, and did your best with what you had.
Or did you?
What about walking away from that promotion to floor supervisor just because your would-be superior is an agonizing witch? So what if it meant an $11,475/year raise?
What about the spare time during which you enjoyed reruns of Duck Dynasty, rather than working to turn your design passion into a freelance business?
What about the closets that need emptying, along with the valuables you have tucked away that you could’ve sold for some extra cash?
There were options to help improve your situation, but for whatever reason, you walked away.
And there you sit in your chair, sad. Swearing at the bills as they pile high, wondering, “Why me? Why this year?”
What to Do When Life Happens
Life happens. To all of us. It’s how you handle it that counts.
When pitfalls occur, you have a choice: 1) sacrifice and be smart or 2) keep playing the game the way you’ve been playing.
One way is going to get you out of the hole in 2014, while the other promises to keep you where you are — if not sink you deeper into debt. Which one are you going to choose?
While saving pennies by not getting Mountain Dews and Oreos from the convenience store won’t make you rich, it can help you step into better spending habits that make life less difficult.
Lay the Foundation, Then Take the Steps
Instead of settling for less difficult, what if you focus on making 2014 the year you soar? You won’t necessarily be able to claw your way to Financial Freedom Road in a year, but you have to start somewhere. There’s no better place than the beginning.
Establish your plan. Here are a few ideas to get the ball rolling:
Set your financial goals for 2014. What are a few manageable goals you can focus on first? How will you get there?
Start that business. How much do you need to earn each month to make a difference in your life? What steps are required to get it going?
Educate yourself. What if you learned about stocks and investing? What if you learned more about your industry, thereby making yourself invaluable and positioning yourself for a promotion or raise?
Earn some side-income. What about taking on a renter or renting out your parking spot? Investing in real estate or taking on a part-time job?
There are loads of ways to break free from financial stagnation. Which one is going to work best for you?
Now that you’ve got your goals, break them into monthly steps.
What do you need to do each month to make that goal a reality? How many gigs do you need each month to earn a living?
Going further, break the monthly steps into weekly steps.
Jot them on your calendar. How much will you need to save and stash each week? What will you do to reach each new step?
Plans are amazing. They help us stay focused, but only if you use them. Plans aren’t meant to be written and forgotten. They’re meant to be made, reviewed, and executed daily. Only by doing that will you stay focused and going for Gold.
You can do this.
What goals are going to take your life to the next level in 2014?
{ read the comments below or add one }
I have a good and workable budget for the entire next year that I split for 12 months and try to follow as much as possible. Additional to the budget is that I do not take up any extra income so they may become happy surprises next year.
This year was actually pretty good as far as financial goals go. For me the most important thing has been developing side incomes in addition to my main income. My goals for next year revolve around that.
I also hope to have a new job that pays a lot more early next year. Can’t wait for 2014. It is going to be a big year for me!
Sacrifice? Less difficult? You paint an irresistable picture for your argument. What is this, the financial equivalent of No Pain, No Gain?
I prefer the path of Kaizen: take a small bill and do something easy to clear it. Get the taste for victory. Enjoy it. Savour it. Want it. Then move on to the next bill. Eventually, you will have to think of a business plan for long-term security, certainly. But start in such a way that success is easier to achieve
Yes, but also start with the end in mind. Consider what these first steps will achieve in the long run, but as Phil points out, be sure you don’t set yourself up for failure by setting the achievement to high. Wealth creation certainly has some sacrifice; except for those lucky few that inherit their fortunes. Start off by knowing what you should be worth for the next financial year.