Easy Financial Goal Setting

Ah a new year. It’s a great time to start anew. And like most people, I want to accomplish my goals in record time.

Financial goals can feel overwhelming, constraining, hard, boring, and impossible. I know. I’ve been there. When I was using a credit card to purchase groceries because I ran out of money before payday, I knew something had to change. If you are ready to change, how do you do it?

1. Too Hard: The Hardcore All or Nothing

Most people decide they have had enough of a situation (weight, money, etc.) and decide that they must go hard. For weight loss that could be to cut out all sugar, hit the gym 5-7 days a week, and exclude an entire food group. If your goal is to pay off debt, you may decide to cut up all your credit cards, bring your lunch to work, and cut out vacations. By February most people have given up on their goals and gone back to their old ways.

2. Too Soft: Let’s Consider All of the Factors

Other people feel so overwhelmed that they never start. For example, every year my goal is to organize my garage. I look at pictures of organized garages. I read articles about how to organize a garage. I shop for new shelving. When should I do it, in the spring? Oh, it might rain. In the summer? Its too hot! The fall? Too windy. The winter? Too cold. And before I know it, I’ve convinced myself that my garage really isn’t that bad. The same can be said for budgeting, saving, and paying off debt. I should start in January! Oh, but its so in so’s birthday. Maybe February. Nope, its Valentine’s Day. You get the picture.

3. Just Right: Small Bites to Eat an Elephant

How do you eat an elephant? One small bite at a time. When tackling a change, it can be tempting to use the Hardcore Method and burn out or the Let’s Consider All of the Factors Method and never start. Small changes lead to lifelong habits. Make one small change at a time and before you know it, you will see results.

Making changes be difficulet. Remember to be kind to yourself.