Newsletter - Spring 2008 - MEETING FINANCIAL GOALS

 

Self-confidence is your own evaluation of your abilities to accomplish a given task. “Stepping outside of my comfort zone” is a phrase many of us use to describe how we feel in situations where we don’t know how well we will per­form or how others will respond to us.

 

It is your level of self-confidence that is likely to determine what goals you set and the actions you take. For example, many individuals can be self-assured in most areas of their lives, but not feel confident when it comes to their own financial planning.

 

However, the best way to build confidence is to take action. If you lack confidence in meeting your financial goals, start with “first things first” whether that is balancing your check­book, organizing your records, or establishing a spending plan (aka budget). The best motto is “just do it!” Successful completion of one step towards your financial goals is what will give you the confidence and motivation to move on to the next step.

 

In addition, it will be important to partner with financial professionals who can assist you in making important financial decisions. Be sure to choose advisors who are “life-centered.” That means they are dedicated to understanding your unique values, priorities, circumstances, and aspirations in order to make financial plan­ning recommendations that are the most appro­priate for you.

 

Fortunately, there is a small, but growing cadre of advisors who are adopting this more holistic approach to financial services. These forward thinking professionals are pioneers in a trend of integrating financial planning and life planning, and will demonstrate a genuine interest in help­ing you to achieve your financial and life goals.