Tips & Recommendations for March
We know that it can be hard to stick with the new habits and new mindset that comes with your journey to Personal Financial Mastery. We have some great tips below to help you stay on track and feel like a financial master!
3 TIPS FROM DOUG
1 The Power of Habits
We’ve all experienced those moments when you know you need to do something, and you want to do it, but you have no motivation to get it done. Those moments are when we need to rely on the habits we have built. Financial integrity is about your habits with money, not how much money you have. Unless you cultivate the right habits, you will never have true financial success, no matter how much money you make. When motivation fails us, habits keep us on track. By establishing healthy habits in your life, particularly surrounding your finances, you will be able to stay on track and achieve your goals faster than if you are just relying on personal motivation.
2. Schedule It
“I’ll do it tomorrow” is not the mindset to start with when it comes to tackling your tasks, however, we recognize that it’s an easy thing to keep saying while not doing what is needed. We believe the best way to truly get tasks done is to set a time, date, and location to do them. Instead of “‘I’ll do it tomorrow” try, “I’ll do this tomorrow at 10:00 AM, at the kitchen table”. Then set a reminder on your phone or in your planner to do that task at 10:00 AM and remember to add the location you’ll be doing this. By creating a schedule like this, you are more likely to show up and get it done. Studies show that the success rate can increase as much as 85% when you decide when and where you will do a task. This is also a great way to start forming the habits we talked about above.
3. Use what works for you
What works for one person isn’t going to work for another. It is common to see someone accomplish something a certain way and think “I’ll do it that way as well” and sometimes that works, but most times it does not. We are all different and all have different styles of communication, motivation, and living our lives. Reflect on what does work best for you, and what doesn’t resonate at all. Some people are list writers, and others are not. If creating a written list doesn’t work for you, avoid doing that. Maybe put a list together on your phone, or create sticky note reminders for all the things you need to do and put them in the locations you need to do them as a reminder. Don’t attempt to fit into someone else’s mold.
4 Build in Accountability
Accountability looks different to everyone. For one person it might be having an accountability partner who checks in on you, asks the hard questions, and helps motivate you to keep going. For another, that accountability might be reaching a goal and getting a reward. The main questions to be asking yourself when thinking about the kind of accountability you need is: What happens if I don’t follow through on this? What happens when I do? How do I want to be rewarded when I follow through? How do I want to be held accountable when I drop the ball? By figuring out what kind of accountability you need, you’re more likely to stick to your goals and crush them! keep promises and commitment to yourself, or to those who are holding you accountable.
As always we would love to chat with you and help set you up for success with your finances. Email us at info@getprioritiesstraight.com