Are you making a New Year's resolution for 2012? Did you keep the one you made last year? If not, you are not alone. According to a study by the Barna Group conducted earlier this year, 41% of people in the U.S. stated that they made resolutions for 2011, and 49% said they experienced "no change" from the resolutions they made in 2010.
With these results, you may wonder whether or not it's worth it to make resolutions. Well, when it comes to money, I think a better idea is to:
Make Financial Freedom Goals Instead of Resolutions.
Every year at this time, Robert and I sit down and decide what we are going to accomplish in the year ahead. But instead of creating New Year's resolutions, we develop solid goals for the upcoming months.
We establish business goals, fitness goals, goals for our marriage, personal goals, and more. And rather than just say we are going to do something, we make actual plans and take action. This is one of the secrets to our success.
As I discuss in "It's Rising Time," you cannot have what you want unless you do something. And there are three types of doing necessary to reach a goal. I call it the Triple-A Triangle™, and it involves three stages.
The Triple-A Triangle™
- Aspire.
This is the dream, the very clear vision of what you want. And it's much more than saying, "I want to be a millionaire."
It's what you will have once you reach your goal such as, "I will have the freedom to pursue my love of travel," "I will be able to contribute more to my favorite charity," "I will be able to spend valuable time with my children," etc.
- Acquire.
This is the education part of do where you gather the information you need to take action. What do you need to study to reach your financial goals, and how are you going to get that information?
Whether it's reading a book, watching a finance video or television program, listening to an investment radio-show, or conducting some research online, set aside some time each day to increase your financial education and learn about money.
- Apply.
This is the stage where most people stop due to fear. But in order to reach goals and be successful, it is necessary to apply the knowledge you acquire and take action.
It's Rising Time!
The stages of the Triple-A Triangle are in constant motion. It's a lifelong journey of aspiring to do more, acquiring more information and applying more of what you've learned. And there is no better time to start than now.
After all, how many times have you or others said things like:
- "I'll start my diet tomorrow."
- "I'll stop smoking on Monday."
- "I'll stick to a new budget after the holidays."
Well, instead of waiting for midnight to strike on December 31st, why not begin working on your goals right now?
What do you aspire to be and have?
How are you going to acquire the knowledge you need and apply what you've learned in order to reach your goals?
Success and financial freedom are waiting for you - no matter what your current situation is. It's time to take action and make your goals for the New Year a reality!
For more information about the Triple-A Triangle and "It's Rising Time," click here. And to access free, financial-education resources right now, check out the Rich Dad Community here.