Most financial advice seems foreign. Many don’t connect because either the language that many financial experts use is too far above the average person’s head or what is being suggested appears too difficult to accomplish.
I’m hoping to somehow bridge that gap. Learning how to become successful with anything that is connected to your money doesn’t have to be a laborious task. It can be reduced to a two step process.
Step 1: Learning.
Step 2: Taking action with what you learned.
That’s it. Taking it one step at a time.
We tend to look at the whole picture, which is very overwhelming, frustrating and paralyzing.
Ever heard of analysis paralysis? Well, it is the state of over-thinking a situation so that a decision is not made or action is never taken.
Maybe some of it boils down to not knowing what decision is the right one and not wanting to make a mistake.
Unfortunately, mistakes are sometimes unavoidable. It’s actually where the best education is learned. And please don’t forget to learn from the mistakes of others. I know that many of our counterparts don’t readily reveal private financial matters, but when they do…listen. I’ve even learned what not to do just by watching Dateline, CNBC, 20/20, and shows of the like.
This education will allow us to create a new story. One of success versus doing nothing and remaining in the same position. We basically learn by doing.
Now on to my next point – financial lingo.
If you’re anything like me, when someone is speaking and I’m clueless about the subject they are speaking of, I hear them, but in my ears they sound like Charlie Brown’s teacher. You know, “Wah, wah, wah, wah, wah…”
I’ve noticed my default behavior is to: 1) Remember the subject matter 2) Do my own research to learn more.
So, please don’t allow yourself to be distressed when language is being used that you don’t understand either. Listen to what’s being said, but file it away in your brain as something you need to explore.
There is a quote by Marie Forleo that says, “Everything is figure-outable.” It really is. And I definitely choose to figure it out (whatever it may be). Even if it means bringing in someone to help…someone who knows more about the subject matter. I’m not afraid to ask questions. What’s that saying??? “You have not, because you ask not.”
I’m asking. Will you?
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Wednesday is the first day of 2014. I want to challenge you to ask more, learn more and take action more in the new year. Just in case you need a little help, there is something super secret brewing at PFN headquarters for you. Stay tuned!
Question: What is your default behavior when someone is discussing a financial topic you’re not familiar with? Comments here.
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Image by jonny2love