We hope that you had a very merry Christmas and that
following new article may be informative and/or helpful for your e-zine, or on your web site. This piece is a summary of my booklet THE ROAD TO FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE, as well as incorporating thoughts and extracts from THE MAD MONEY BOOK. Craig Lock's other articles (internet marketing, self help, writing and money) are available at:
http://www.bridgeniche.com/ebooks/Ebooks.htm Please feel free to publish them in your ezine or web site.
"I share what I know, so that you and your money may grow".
THE 10 STEPS TO FINANCIAL SUCCESS
by Craig Lock
Some people dream of success...while others wake up and work hard at it.
"If you've tried to do something and failed you are much better off, than, if you tried to do nothing and succeeded.
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.
Well now is a great time of year to reflect on past happenings and plan ahead for 2002. Some points to "kick off"...
THE TEN STEP PLAN TO FINANCIAL INDEPENDANCE... AND PERHAPS EVEN 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 most important step. Only then will incredible power of human mind work out a means of achieving it. Reject idea that work is simply something you have to do until 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 your answers down.
3. Establish your current financial position. What is 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 achievement of your goals? All goals should be specific and have a time constraint.
5. Closely monitor 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 cost of waiting to TAKE ACTION to change your current circumstances in life (as 94% of 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 most of it.
