About the only instrument I can play is an MP3 player, so I’m doubly amazed at what this guy does iwth a carrot. Not only is it fun, but he’s a great musician too.
Is Your Financial Resolution Already Off-Track? Refocus on Your Financial Goals
So you made a New Year’s resolution involving finances, and it’s already fallen to the wayside.
We get it. Maybe you resolved to reduce your credit card debt, save for a home or build an emergency fund, or even something as simple as create and stick to a budget. You must live and breathe that commitment each and every day if you are to achieve it, but relax—it’s not that hard. Below are some helpful hints to help you keep your 2014 financial resolution:
Take Pen to Paper
Write down your goal. Insure that it meets the following criteria:
- The goal must be specific. What action will you take? “I will deposit $200 from each paycheck into my retirement account” as opposed to “I will save more this year.”
- Make sure it’s measurable. You must be able to measure whether or not you are on track.
- The goal must be achievable. Do your homework and ascertain if your goal is financially achievable.
- Make it realistic. If your job requires you to drive all over town to meet with clients, you don’t have any control over whether you can spend less on gas, so don’t make that your goal.
- It should be timely. Your goal must be stated in a way that holds you accountable to a time table. For example, “I will deposit $50 a month” as opposed to “I will save more.”
Now that you’ve set your goal, stay on track.
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Getting What You Desire: Three Simple Steps to Live the Life You Want
We all have goals and convictions in our lives that we feel passionate about and wish to bring to fruition.
Whether it’s expanding your creativity, becoming more active in your community, or finding inner-peace through spirituality, we all want to find ways to experience life to its fullest, and no one wants to live in vain; we all want a purpose.
The following are a few steps that I have found helpful in playing out my pure intentions:
Visualize.
Everyone has the power to visualize what they want, and by harnessing this technique you will be able to bring forth that which you truly desire. Thought is energy and affects our actions in daily life and the ways in which we confront obstacles. Visualizing what you want, imaging yourself in your ideal situation, will eventually cause those visions to be accepted by your subconscious, thus changing your habits and your entire mindset while attracting new people and circumstances that will help further your goals. Make a list of things that you will achieve on the short or long term. Item by item, imagine yourself in a circumstance in which you are accomplishing that idea (e.g., seeing yourself playing a concert and the crowd applauding; imagine you’re walking through your dream house, noticing the furniture and wall colors.)
Overcome Fear.
Fear can be a great obstacle in attaining your goals. Whether it’s a fear of public speaking, a fear of flying or a fear of loneliness, being afraid will always hinder that which we truly want. Often people spend there lives avoiding fear as opposed to seeking out pleasure. Most of the time it’s the risk that we are scared of, thinking things such as what if often cause us to stay away from situations in which we are uncomfortable. Personally, the words of the Greek poet Homer bring this into perspective. He wrote, “Even his griefs are a joy long after to one that remembers all that he wrought and endured.” In other words, the insight and experience you gain by being uncomfortable will always justify the means at the end of the day. [Read more…]