Get It Out Of Your Head
I meant to do it, but I forgot. We have so many things going on in our lives that it is no wonder that sometimes we forget to do some things that are on our on our to do lists. Unfortunately, we can do the same thing with our financial goals. At the beginning of the year or the beginning of the month we can make a financial goal, but we keep it in our head and end up forgetting it by the end of the month.
You may have a good memory but when it comes to goals it is important to write them down. Did you know that studies have shown that you are more likely to achieve your goals if they are clearly defined, such as S.M.A.R.T. Goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely). And you are even more likely to achieve your goals if they are clearly defined and written down. Writing down your goals adds a level of commitment and direction to your plans.
When you write down your goals, it gives you an opportunity to make a plan and to decide what steps you are going to take to achieve them. Also, seeing your goal(s) on paper helps you to be more specific about your goal(s) and what you want to achieve. (e.g. Instead of saying I’m going to save $500 this year, you can write it down and make it a goal to save $50 per month or $25 per paycheck.) You can write it down as part of your budget or as part of your written financial goals. Either way, writing down your goals is more powerful than keeping them in your head.
Write it down! You can use your cell phone, your tablet, your laptop or your desktop computer. You can even use a pen and paper. It does not matter how you do it, but it is important that you do it. Get your goals out of your head and write them down. Otherwise, they are more likely to be a dream than a goal. And as we know, dreams don’t always come true. All the best!
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