Are you on track or Off Track in 2015

If you ask anyone who hasn’t had the success they desired in 2014 what they would do differently, most people would say that they wished they took positive action.

It is now 2015 and we can’t erase the past but we can make ourselves a better future and make the next 6 months count. Maybe you need someone to make you accountable. We would suggest your:

• Business or Personal Coach
• Financial Planner
• Accountant (particularly if your goals are financial).

In the meantime, here is a revision of the article we sent in July 2014 about setting goals. If you struggle to do what you need to do, give us a call on 03 9848 5933 or book an appointment with Mark Felton now.

• Be specific. Decide exactly what you want to accomplish before working toward it. (A fuzzy target is hard to hit!)
• Put your plans on paper. Writing down your goals and keeping them in a visible place makes them seem more real, more permanent and more achievable.
• Decide how much you’ll need to save. Overestimate if you need to.There’s not much that’s more frustrating than saving a long time for a large goal and coming up short.
• Pick a time frame. Be realistic, since unexpected expenses have a way of cropping up, but choose a date that’s near enough to be motivating.
• Budget to get there. Figure out how much you need to set aside each month to reach your target, and work out a household budget that allows you to save that amount. It’s helpful to set aside your savings before spending on anything discretionary — if you take these funds out first thing, you won’t miss them as much.
• Make adjustments. This might be the most important part of meeting your goals: understanding that setbacks happen, objectives change and revisions can be made to help keep you on track. Pay attention to your progress throughout the year, so you’ll be able to anticipate and plan for upcoming hurdles.

So what is your Massive Action Plan for 2015?

Can we help you get there? It may make sense to book a time with a Lindale Financial Planner because we can help you gain clarity in your mind as to the direction you are heading. We have heard many times before that clarity is power. When it comes to financial goals, dreaming is the easy part — and it’s a great motivator!

But reaching your goals also takes hard work and planning. You can make the job easier on yourself by designing measurable, realistic objectives. So if you have been toying with the idea of achieving financial success in 2015, contact us so we can help you.