Welcome to the new year! As last year closed out, and I was reminded that we are starting a new decade, I couldn’t help but reflect a little on the last ten years. It was a nice reminder for me of how life changes so much in such a short time. I also took some time to read through some old journal notes and lists of goals. It was a reminder for me that we really are capable of changing, evolving, and achieving the goals that we set out to accomplish.
Whether you are into resolutions or not, the first of the year is a great time to review your financial plan and adjust or make updates. The new year gives you a starting point to measure and track your progress. Here are 5 steps to get organized and make sure you are working toward your goals in 2020.
Step 1: Get rid of your critical or negative voice
Do your best to turn it off for this process. So much of our approach to our finances is learned from our environment. You may handle your money a certain way because of your parent’s attitudes while growing up or an early experience with money. It is important to understand how you have developed your mindset toward your finances, but it is even more important to let go of the past. Your goals should be measured from today looking forward. Don’t let your critical voice prevent you from getting started. You can learn whatever you need to learn to master your money and accomplish your goals.
Step 2: Get clear on what you want
When I played sports in college, I was taught a visualization technique that I have always remembered. The night before the game, I would take my playbook and look at each play. I would close my eyes and visualize myself in the game running the play. I loved doing this! So many times, I would find myself in the game playing efficiently out of muscle memory because I had visualized the event before. I apply the same technique to most things in life.
With your money, you can’t really accomplish anything if you don’t know what you want and why it matters to you. Take the time to process this and get some clarity. It may be a reflection on your past finances or a conversation with your spouse about the future. For some, it may be a quiet meditation and for others it is just some time alone at your desk or a coffee shop. Whatever your process, this is your time to visualize what you want with your money.
Step 3: Write it down
If you have a vision for what you want to accomplish, you have to keep this in front of you. Many people use vision boards. I like to just brainstorm and write. I was once told that for a goal to be accomplished it must meet these 3 criteria:
It needs to be achievable
It needs to be measurable
It needs to be written down
Step 4: Break it down
“Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together” -Vincent Van Gogh
Large goals must be broken down into small consistent steps. This is especially important when it comes to financial progress. Start by writing down the annual goal. How does your annual goal break down into monthly dollar amounts? What will you measure on a weekly or monthly basis? Finally, write down the dates that you will measure your progress so that you have some accountability.
Take advantage of automation. The easiest way to accomplish goals is to take away resistance. I use this concept with my workout routine. I have an automated schedule that tells me which exercise/training to do each day. This way I have reduced decision making to the minimum. I can just measure my work. Financial goals are similar. You can automate cash flow, so that you save money before it is spent. I also recommend automating a budgeted amount of money each month for your lifestyle. This way you have reduced your budgeting work to measuring just one number.
Step 5: Stop Procrastinating
You got this! It all starts now and you will be so much happier when you see the progress you make. In my mind, lack of willpower is really just not having a plan of action that you can buy into. In order to avoid procrastination, think of not just the items that you need to start doing, but also what you need to stop. What habits are preventing you from reaching your goals? Include these habits when you write your goals. Here is an example:
What to start:
Load credit card balance in my online financial dashboard for tracking
Set up an automatic payment on the 10th of each month
What to stop:
Remove this card from my wallet so I don’t add to the balance
Stop stressing about this situation. I am making progress
Bonus Step: Celebrate your success
Take time to reward yourself for making progress. Make a deal with yourself or someone that you want accountability from and set up a reward. “Treat yo’ self.”
Just remember, if you set up your goals and write a plan, you are way ahead of the curve! According to studies, 2/3 of people have financial goals, but only 1/4 of people have a written financial plan[1].
Write down your plan and celebrate that you are making things happen!
For more information and help, make sure to check out our Balanced Money Toolkit
Centered Financial, LLC is a registered investment adviser offering advisory services in the State of California, Utah, Texas and in other jurisdictions where exempted. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. There is no assurance that the techniques, strategies, or investments discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes. To determine which strategies or investment(s) may be appropriate for you, consult your financial adviser prior to investing. Any discussion of strategies related to tax or legal planning is general and is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult appropriate tax and legal professionals for recommendations pertaining to your specific situation.
[1] https://aboutschwab.com/images/uploads/inline/Charles_Schwab-Modern_Wealth_Index-findings_deck.pdf