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As 2009
comes to a close, many of us take the opportunity to
reassess where we've been financially and where we are
going in the new year. Just like large corporations
review the books and make adjustments, so must we.
While
part of our year-end review is financial, it's also
about where we are in our life. Are we maintaining or
improving our health? Are we succeeding with our job or
personal growth? As you look to 2010 and beyond, assess
what you really want out of life. What's your dream?
Success
and reaching your dreams requires a commitment to
permanent change. Not the kind of change those make when
they hit the gym more frequently after the holidays only
to give up in February. Your change should be in small
steps and, like investing, a long-term goal. Spend time
now thinking about what small steps you can take in
2010. Will you call or e-mail a family member twice
instead of once a week? Will you take a class to improve
your skills? Will you save an extra 2, 3, 10 percent of
your income?
Here are
a few questions you could ask yourself in your
assessment:
—How
can I spend more time with the people and things I enjoy
most?
—What
would I love to do more of in life?
—What
specific actions can I take to reach my goals?
—What
one thing can I change that would make a significant
impact?
—What
can I change in my investments or spending that would
make me worry less?
Our
personal goals are closely related to our financial
goals. Once you know what you want out of life you can
make the adjustments financially to make it happen.
Don't
dwell on what happened in 2009. We all know it was a bad
year financially but what goes down must go up. The
difficult times we went through remind us of what we
need to adjust for next year. Do we need to be more
conservative with investments? Do we need to find a
better job? Those who excel do so after dealing with
adversity and making changes to be a better person and
live a better life. I'm living proof of that, changing
from a dead-end career to a career I enjoy.
Dream
bigger and ask the fundamental questions of who you are,
who you want to be, and how you want to live. You may
not get there in 2010, but it can put you on the right
path for the future.
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