Did you know that writing down your goals has been proven to help you achieve them? According to a study performed by Gail Matthews at Dominican University, people who write down their goals, develop action plans, and relate those goals to others, are significantly more likely to achieve their goals then those who do not. So, as my own personal experiment I am writing down my goals and encouraging you to do the same. I am developing an action plan and sharing it with you to make myself accountable.
Create a vision for yourself
What do you want to accomplish in the next 5, 10, 25 years?
Do you want to further your education?
Do you want to be self employed?
Do you want to retire?
Do you want your children to attend college or university without graduating significantly in debt?
Do you want to spend more time giving back, helping your community/the world?
Do you want to be healthier, more active?
Do you want more ‘me’ time?
How do you plan to achieve those goals?
Make it measurable, set benchmarks. Create small actionable steps with reasonable time-frames. This article, “You only have to do one right thing with your money at a time” is great.
What are my goals? (In no particular order)
I want to continue my professional education.
I wish to provide for my children and family, living within our means, minimally and sustainably.
I want to pay off our mortgage and save for retirement.
I hope to save for my children’s education.
I desire to live to work and not work to live. So that when I spend time with family or to nurture creative pursuits I may do so guilt-free.
I want to become the best version of myself that I can possibly be.
To slay these goals I will:
Obtain my CFP (Certified Financial Planner) Certification by taking the necessary steps to earn the designation.
I will continue my education and professional development throughout my career.
Budget, manage our spending, and reduce unnecessary clutter and consumerism in our lives.
Pay down our mortgage at an accelerated rate, continue to put money into our retirement savings and when our mortgage is paid off, put that money towards retirement.
Contribute to my children’s education savings plans (RESPs). As discussed in this previous post, "How I plan to save over $85,000 towards my daughter's education using only the Government's money"
Dedicate myself fully to both family and work (put in 100%) so that when I take time away from either I feel minimal guilt.
I will be present in my life and strive to find balance by occasionally saying ‘no.’
Be conscious and present in every decision I make.
I will set goals and pursue them.
I will work constantly to improve myself physically, spiritually and emotionally.
Finally, when you reach your goals (or hit your benchmarks) celebrate your achievements.
Your success is something to be proud of.
If you need help in setting goals and mapping out your road to success I would love to help you do just that.
Brooklyn Scott is a Financial Advisor/Mutual Funds Representative for Lewis & Jones Group/Desjardins Financial Group/Desjardins Financial Security Investments Inc. in Killarney, Manitoba.
Mutual funds are distributed through Desjardins Financial Security Investments Inc. For insurance products, Desjardins Financial Security Investments Inc. acts as a national insurance brokerage agency.