Archive for the ‘goal setting’ Category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Problems Solved: The Three Steps!

Thursday, April 28th, 2011

Your biggest problem!

What is your number one, most biggest, hugest, gargantuan problem? (no it’s not my grammar!)

Take 5-10 minutes- think it over.  Dig deep down to the depths (debts) of your psyche?

What keeps you up? What keeps that bottle of Pepto-Bismol close?  What is on your mind when you go to bed and when you arise?

You’re focused now.  You’ve got a bead on that baby.

Problem?

Now What?

You know the problem, what are three steps to make it go AWAY?

  • Today: What can you do today to make progress on your problem? What’s the first step? Is there a phone call you can make? Notes you need? Something you can do in just a few minutes-maybe just writing down the problem.  See it in black and white can be like the sun rising on your vampire of a problem.
  • This month:What can you do in the next month to get a jump start on it.  Gain a semblance of control. Make a short list. A list you can handle in just the next few weeks. And if needed….
  • The next year: What are the steps it will take to get this problem under control this year?  If there are long term issues-classes to take, extra money to earn-what are the barriers and how can you knock em down?  Even if it will take a year or more-identify what you need to do.

Remember

Keep in mind your limitations.

  • You can’t change the past. What’s done is done. Don’t waste one more second on woulda, coulda, shoulda’s. Stop it-I know it’s hard. You want to kick yourself or someone else in the ass over and over and over-but don’t waste another minute of your precious life.
  • You can’t change other people. If you think, “If I could just make (spouse, boss or whoever) do ________, it will solve my problem.  Quit. Stop it NOW!   Ask yourself what you need to do to make something happen, not what someone else can do.  You can be an influencer, but the invasion of the body snatchers was just a movie….You can’t make someone do what they don’t want to do.
  • You can’t perform magic. Don’t think about the lottery, marrying a millionaire, hoping the bank forgets  your loan,  or finding a laid back genie in a lamp.  Fantasies are only for a few minutes a day-a little mindless entertainment.  Whether it’s a TV show, movie, book, or dreamy conversation with your buds-”I wish it were me instead of that Kate hussy-What does Willy see in her anyway?” Spend seconds or minutes at most in your fantasy land.  Not hours (or a lifetime) as many do!

Get Started!

You now know the rules.  What’s your major problem, and whatcha’ going to do about it today, this month, and this year?

So give it up! Get with it! Make a plan- Stan!

Your most important problem is ___________________.

Today I’m going to ________________________________________________________________.

This month, I will deal with the problem by_______________________________________________.

Over the next year I will deal with it by__________________________________________________________.

An Example

Just for fun-Imagine you are President Obama today-waking up to his biggest problem…..

“Damn that Trump guy-Trumpeting every day about my dang birth certificate….I have so many problems to deal with.  Which fund raiser should I attend? Where should I play golf this weekend?  And who should I invite? No not that Boehner fellow…”

“But noooo. I have to deal with that billionaire who talks out of his nose and  has one strand of hair covering his forehead…”

Lucky for the Pres., he read this blog post!

Birth Certificate Problem plan for Today:

Mr President:  “I got this. Today I will release my birth certificate.  Michelle has it framed right here in the bedroom.   I will put it out there for all the world to see.  Call the  media-It’s prime time, baby!

Birth Certificate problem plans for The Next Month:

“The first thing that will happen after releasing my birth certificate, everyone’s going to say it’s a fake.   It’s tempting to just throw all those birthers into Guantanomo, but Dr Dean says I can’t make someone do what they don’t want to do….

Hmmm. I need to make sure I don’t get Dan Rathered here.  I need to get all those counterfeiting experts at the treasury to look this over, and have  answers for every question.  Make sure the ink  is at least a year old….

I’ll get all the people’s name on the birth certificate ready for an interview and agree to authenticate.  If the story fits, you must acquit!

Birth Certificate Problem plans for The Next Year:

“I’ll get my staff together and mind-map every potential step that Atlantic City Casino loser will take, and get at least one, if not two steps ahead.  If he says A, I will say B.  If he says 2, I will say 4!”  If he finds that midwife that delivered me in ________,  I need to have pictures of  Dubya illegally escorting her to the deportation plane in Wakiki….”

I think he’s got it…..Thanks for sharing your precious time with us, Mr President!

Don’t let your major problem fester day after day….  Ruining your outlook on life.  This day and every day is precious-you can’t get ‘em back.

Look that problem square in the face.  Decide what you can do today, this month, and in the next year to make it either go away, or get so small as to be a flea on an elephant.

Your Problem?

It’ll be like that whining, obnoxious Doc making rounds. You won’t  even hear him squawkin’-you dealt with that problem-you bought ear plugs!  “Who needs a year to deal with a problem, Dr Dean?”

What is your major problem? Share it here-maybe my readers can help.

Take a few minutes and try this exercise.  I guarantee  you’ll feel better!

{photo credit: casey marshall c.c.}

Make sure you follow me on Twitter @DrDeanBurke- quick links on the side of the blog!  And let’s not miss a post-sign up for email special delivery!

Friends, I love friends-check out my Facebook page, and I’m definitely Linked-In-use the shortcuts on the side-that’s why I paid my Web Master of the Universe Ben the big bucks to put em there-saves you time!

Tags: , , ,
Posted in goal setting, Quality of Life | 4 Comments »

7 Tips For Improving Productivity

Saturday, April 2nd, 2011

Getting Your Stuff Done

What is the difference between people who to get things done and those that complain about being soooo busy but don’t accomplish much?

I’m sure you’ve met:

  • The guy in the next cubicle constantly complaining about his work load but every time you pass his desk he is playing Angry Birds.
  • The nurse who complains about “staffing levels” but is never around when one of her patients call button goes off and takes 2 hours to chart about one patient.
  • The supervisor who is always on your case about production but has never provided a clear goal on your group’s latest project.

In today’s digital world it’ easy to become distracted.  How do you keep your focus when all around you are losing theirs?

You can spend money on productivity software or read one of the many great books on the subject… If you are like me,  though, you don’t have time for that…

Quick Tips to Improve Focus:

  • Set goals-Choose a time to look over what you need to accomplish this week and write them down-Sunday night works if you are not on shift work-otherwise, pick your time and make it a habit. Use your phone and calendar to remind you until its routine.
  • Make a daily list-Take a few minutes before work and write down what you want to get done that day.
  • Review your daily list at the beginning and end of your work day.
  • Eliminate distractions-You may not be able to keep your boss out of your office, but you can kindly ask your co-workers to not disturb you for a period of time.

    Timer?

  • Timers-Use your watch, phone, or buy a cheap egg timer.  Use it to remind you to take a brief break every 30 minutes of computer time. Stretch briefly, roll your neck, and walk around your desk.  Also use the timer when you are checking email or surfing the web- don’t let your 5 minutes of down time turn into hours of non-productive activity.
  • Off button-if you can’t keep from peeking at your phone or computer  every few minutes when you aren’t using them, turn ‘em off.
  • Time management-begin to estimate how long you think a project will take, write it down, and evaluate your accuracy at the end of the project.  This will improve your ability to program your time.

Practicing these tips will improve your ability to focus. You will be much better at “getting it done!”

Good Reads For YOUR Spare Time!

Money Reasons explains how to set up an income stream for the kids when they are grown.  Beats the heck out of spending on toys that are forgotten the next day.   Discussing income streams is such a great way to explain the advantages of not just having a “job”.

Barbara Friedberg has a guest post about investing for the upcoming increase in inflation.  Definitely worth thinking about, but not until you have the basics down and are out of consumer debt-IMHO…

Budgeting in The Fun Stuff has a guest post by Bogey (kewl name) about the scariness of becoming an entrepreneur and what is keeping him from making the leap.  It sure isn’t cash-with 14 months of expenses in the bank!

Invest it Wisely has an anniversary contest going with great prizes-check it out if you’re feeling lucky!

The College Investor writes about “buying more to save more”….I agree with Robert’s assessment.  Why didn’t you take a pic of the $20,000 tub though Robert?

Life and My Finances wants to know about buying glasses and contacts online-what do you say?  Anyone done it and were you happy?

Everyday Tips and Thoughts shares password frustration. Make sure you know the code to get to her blog!

Check out these great blogs and take a minute to leave a comment.  Join the conversation.

Enjoy your day and plan on getting better FOCUSED next week.

(photo-credit by comedy_nose)

You can sign up to receive our posts without worrying about missing one. Either E-mail or RSS Feed is top right. And feel free to like us on Facebook.  I try to make it easy for you.  And follow me @DrDeanBurke-twitter is cool!

Tags: , , ,
Posted in goal setting, Quality of Life | 11 Comments »

Money Success?

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

Financial Success

Did you make a New Year’s resolution, but are now admitting to yourself, in a tiny voice- “I am a failure?”

Now is the time of year most realize they suck at keeping resolutions.

Just like dieting

You’ve heard it before-Jan 1, “I started my diet today-size 6 here I come!”-Gyms are full all over the country!

A month later, don’t get in the way of the size 6 wannabe- pushing her way into Dunkin Doughnut with a scary “gotta have it now!” look.  You may have seen it in the mirror… (no one’s waiting for the elliptical any more!)

What’s the secret?

What’s the secret between making your money last till the last day of the month, or losing weight successfully?

What’s the secret of splendid success vs the emotional devastation of knowing you blew it again?

Choices

It all comes down to choices.  The ones you get right, and more importantly minimizing the ones you get wrong.

Notice I didn’t say eliminate your wrong choices.   I truly believe none of us are perfect, but I know you can be successful with your money.  Without perfection.

And actually, trying to be perfect, will end up working against you, rather than for you!

Let me explain:

If you listen to us gurus, and wake up tomorrow and decide to save 15% of your income for retirement, but are currently saving nothing-  YOU WILL FAIL!

Why?  Because you aren’t prepared.  Your spending hasn’t changed, you have no savings cushion for the unexpected expense, you haven’t met with your partner about your spending priorities….

So a coupla weeks after you change your 403b withdrawal with such bravado, you will be slinking back to your personnel folks, and say-”Sorry, can you eliminate that 15% 403b draft, my car broke down.”  “And while I’m here, can I borrow money from my account?”

From The Beginning

To hit a baseball successfully, you must have the proper stance, weight shift, wrist cock along with a good eye for where the baseball is coming. You learn this by proper coaching and practice.

Sure there are exceptions, someone comes along with an unorthodox swing, and knocks the cover off, but they are noteworthy because they are unusual.

  • The best hitters are successful only 1 in 3 times at bat.
  • The best docs and nurses lose patients
  • The best 3 point shooters are also around 30%
  • The best investors make millions buying only one winning stock out of three!

To successfully care for an ill patient, you must know the signs of a well one, and what to look for when things are going downhill.  You must study and understand the difference between illness and health.

To save money consistently you must learn the basics, then start making the right choices-as often as possible.  But don’t let the absence of perfection be an excuse to get started…

So what do you do?

  • Make a plan with the proper foundation.
  • Do your net worth and financial statement
  • Decide on your financial goals
  • Begin to prioritize your spending, saving, and debt reduction goals.
  • Follow your spending plan, and find your errors
  • Make realistic course corrections and give yourself little  rewards along the way.

But if you deprive yourself of all the pleasures in life that you and your hippocampus have come to label as “Good” then you won’t last long.

Summary!

  • Don’t be afraid to start, but start at the beginning, with the basics.
  • Don’t think you will be perfect at money management, no one is!
  • Reward yourself for hitting your milestones!

Get Started

If  you want to get started, sign up for my free e-book and newsletter.  I will also send you (free of course!) my mini-course to help you get started on the basics of your money.

Keep an ear out for my personal finance course, the 5A’s to Financial Health-that will be released again later this year.

I look forward to hearing your next success story!

Reader Questions: What works for you?  If you have turned your money management around, what are tips for others?

Let us hear about them!

Tags: , , ,
Posted in goal setting, Personal Finance 101, Retirement savings | 13 Comments »

Drill Baby, Drill: For Financial Disaster!

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

Job Security

{I wrote this post before Cook County, in Illinois announced layoffs of up to 100 nurses! Please get your financial house in order!}

Jo Ann BSN wondered why the DON (Director of Nursing for you civilians) had asked her to drop by her office.  It was a little unusual, but not unheard of.

She was, after all, a senior nurse in peer review. Good Samaritan Hospital had recently been through their state survey, a grueling experience.  But they had gotten adequate, and in a few areas, superior reviews in Jo Ann’s areas of focus.

“Maybe I will be getting a raise!” she laughed to herself.   Silently acknowledging the several million  bucks the facility  lost last year, and knowing it would be awhile before any raises were coming  her way…

As she sat down across from the DON, Jo Ann felt sick! The DON looked just like her cat had died.  (Jo Ann knew, as did everyone who had been in this office and seen all the stupid silly pictures, how much this boss loved her cat!)

“JoAnn, I am so sorry, but we are cutting back on administrative staff as part of our financial restructuring, and your position was eliminated!”

“But,but, but”….JoAnn stammered.  “I have been here almost 20 years…. I have two children in college and a car payment, what am I going to do?  Nobody around here is hiring right now.  And you know my youngest has Cystic Fibrosis.  His meds are outrageous…What will we do?”

“I wish I could help you.  I really am sorry.  I hope you have a little money saved.  And you know there is Cobra for your insurance.  And we will be giving you 4 weeks severance.  I fought for you-they wanted it to be the 2 week minimum.”

Job Losses and Health Care

Job losses in health care were the lowest of any profession during this most recent severe economic downturn.  But for the medical arena,  I think the worst is yet to come.  With the severe budget deficits on the horizon, and the recent Health Care Act, cuts in reimbursement to hospitals and providers are coming. And those who want  success must prepare now.  Don’t wait till you are the next “JoAnn!”

Planning for Disaster-Before It Happens

A great American and personal finance blogger, (does that make him a great American personal finance blogger???)-anyway Len Penzo wrote a great article recently about an exercise he and his wife did, which I call “Financial Disaster Planning 101″ (his title was different but I like mine better…) Please check out Len P’s article, but  let me review: They, separately just for fun, did an analysis of potential family spending cuts if Len, the family breadwinner, lost his job. What could go, what would stay! Their monthly spending cuts:

  • cable TV
  • newspapers, magazines, and books
  • entertainment spending
  • Restaurant meals.
  • Housekeeper
  • Vet bills

They found, even with cutting  monthly spending by 50% or more, their monthly bills would remain way over the amount he would be getting from unemployment. However, because of careful planning, they have enough in savings (rainy day fund) to supplement this short fall for many months. He and his family have a margin-a cushion for when stuff happens. They won’t have to make difficult choices of going without health insurance, moving to a smaller home, or eating cat food. They have lived within their means, avoided living month to month and built up a cushion for emergencies.

Drill Baby, Drill!

Medical Drill

In medicine we do drills!  We have tornado drills, fire drills, Code Red, Blue, and Orange drills.  In Ob we do shoulder dystocia and post-partum hemorrhage drills. These are done because they work! They  eliminate the “deer in the headlights” look that is common in rookies’ eyes when facing life and death scenarios. Jo Ann, in the story above, sadly didn’t have a cushion.  Her family had to make difficult sacrifices.  Their college kids were going to be on their own, all of a sudden.  They couldn’t afford COBRA. That meant signing up for Medicaid to get their youngest’s medicines until they could get back on their feet. And because nobody was hiring in her region, they were going to have to consider moving-but oops the house is upside down…..

The moral of the story

Plan for the worse.  At least consider the possibilities.  Job loss, divorce, illness, and accidents are so common, and are also the most common causes of bankruptcy.  Begin the process of getting control of your spending. Have a financial disaster drill and see what it tells about you!

Reader Comments:

What are your thoughts, have you a contingency plan for the unexpected financial emergency? Photo credit: US Navy c.c.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in goal setting, Planned spending aka budget | No Comments »

Goals: Part Three and Final!

Saturday, January 22nd, 2011

Goals For 2011-Yakezie Style

Yakezie Personal Finance Blogger Goals for 2011 are amazin and numerous.  To handle the whole group has required three posts, so as not to overwhelm my readers, and go crazy myself with all these links….

My series  started here with Goals Galore!

The second in the series was Goals and More Goals: Part Two!

Check those out if you missed them.

To continue on that list of Yakezie members goals and plans for 2011, here goes:

Yakezie Logo!

Yakezie Member Goals:

Suba at Wealth Informatics emphasizes trust! A great plan and just one of many in her list!

Penny @ Saved Quarter has this list of goals, and a Challenge! Check em both out…

Squirrelers has this list of personal finance keys!

Goals:

Investor Junkie, has a list of financial goals for 2011. Many are worth imitating.  Tax efficiency, and automation of finances sound good!

Jackie at Money Crush is all about FOCUS! Limited goals and laser focus, I like it!

Money Green Life gives resolution how-too, with a few good tips to help YOU succeed!

Beating Broke has more resolution suggestions... To help em stick…

Resolutions:

Little House has a goal so detailed it required three different posts.  This link is to #3 that has links to the first two.  Start at post one, don’t cheat.

Well Healed’s Goal Post title tells all: Make Money, Save Money, Get Fit and Enjoy Life!  Cool!

Jaime at Eventual Millionaire has her goal review and plans, and a great attitude.

Jesse at PFF plans to eliminate the loose ends...Good luck, there always seems to be one hanging around!

The Wealth Artisan reviewed 2010, and gave hints on new things for 2011.  Not bad!

To Do’s

At Watson Inc.,  Shawn has Set The Course for the Impossible!

Mrs Money at Ultimate Money Blog is going to declutter, and more!

My Personal Finance Journey has a list of blogging goals, and action steps to get there…

Jeff at Sustainable Life Blog has a several goals, reasonable and achievable.  Good Luck!

And finally…..

Money Beagle has a to-do list.  Good idea. A “To do” list are not nearly as scary as Goals or Resolutions!

These Yakezie member blogs were all found on the Best In Personal Finance Blogs list at the Yakezie site.

For those Yakezie members who weren’t included on this list or part 1, or part 2, it means I couldn’t find your goal/resolution/plan for 2011 post.  If you have one I missed please email me or comment below, and I will be glad to add your link.

Thanks for all the support from the Yakezie group in 2010, and look forward to working with you guys this year!

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in goal setting | 7 Comments »

Goals and More Goals: Part Two!

Saturday, January 15th, 2011

Goals

As I mentioned last week, I wanted to pass along the goals and resolutions of the Blog members of Yakezie Group-the best personal finance group on the web!

This will take a few weeks, as the group is large, and I don’t think many people will read to the bottom if the article number goes too high.

So here goes with part two of the Yakezie Members Goals/Resolutions/Recommendations for 2011!

Yakezie Members’ Goals:

Mike at Saving Money Today wants to speak Italian! Ciao!

Kris at Everyday Tips and Thoughts has notable goals-She wants to tone down her control freakiness! Good luck, specially while you are withdrawing from the Soda!

At Personal Finance By the Book, Joe gives good advice about following your dreams!

Neal at Wealth Pilgrim gives more advice, this time about making your goals more focused and fine tuned! To help them become real, and realized!

More Goals

Money Help For Christians-Craig has 50 questions to help you with your goal setting!

Sandy at Yes I Am Cheap has goals, and a THEME SONG! I keep hearing about Jersey Shore, what is Jersey Shore???

Barbara @ Barbara Friedberg.com has a partial list of goals. Some of her goals she keeps private…. Hummmh???

Elle at Couple Money has a list of financial goals. Well described with action items!

Kelly at The Centsible Life is focusing on FOCUS!

Financially Poor-Kevin has a few great tips for making your goals come true. His blog is worth visiting, just cause it’s different!

Young and Thrifty has a lot of hiking to do, if she meets her goals!

As many have quoted in their personal goal summaries, it takes a few weeks for new activities to become a habit.  I hope reading other blogs more often will become a new habit for me!

And again, if you missed part one of the Yakezie Group Goals-check it out here! And don’t worry, the rest of the Yakezie members’ goals will be covered in the next couple of weeks!

Tags: , ,
Posted in goal setting | 6 Comments »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »