Hang on to the Holidays
Here we are again at the end of another year, and many of you have already started to focus on your annual, year-end routine of planning to successfully end 2007 financially, while making sure you'll make the right decisions to insure prosperity in 2008.
In the coming year, you'll need to focus on a variety of issues if you hope to successfully navigate 2008. There will be questions on interest rates, exploring your real estate values, developing trading choices, determining spending habits and figuring out how the candidates in the 2008 general election might affect your personal financial life. These are all extremely important issues, but don't forget about the personal entity that should mean the most to you during the year - your family.
We all spend so much time on things that we have to do during the year that it's nice to take a few moments during the holidays to do absolutely nothing. Rest and enjoy the season. Recharge for the year ahead. There will be plenty of work to do, problems to solve and decisions to make in the months ahead. Make a conscious decision right now to take a few days to enjoy the holiday traditions that your family looks forward to and appreciates every year.
There are no guarantees in life, and you need to be grateful for what you have right now. I would venture to say that most of you did pretty well this year, and I urge you to remember to use your blessings to help others now and throughout the next year. Listen, I'm not telling you to completely ignore the significant issues that need to be addressed as we approach the new year, but I do recommend that you recognize what you have built in your life and enjoy your blessings for a change. This is the time when we all need to experience the unique holiday traditions that our families celebrate every year. Enjoy the amazing food, the special gift you asked for and don't miss the look on your children or grandchildren's faces.
And as for financial planning, if you wait until the last few weeks of the year to start planning for a successful 2008, you're much too late. Good financial management must begin on January 1 and not end until December 31. Make your checklists, determine what's important and get all the documents together for your tax professional. Creating and maintaining a useful financial plan can't be developed in the final two weeks of the year. So, make it a goal to be a more effective financial planner in the new year.
You decided to invest your money to make a few extra bucks in order to give your family some personal options to enjoy life. If you're not doing so already, start today. Stop stressing and love where you are and what you're doing today. Don't be a "scrooge," but count your blessings while blessing others.
We are thankful to be able to count you as a part of our extended family and look forward to helping you achieve your personal financial goals in the new year. Consider taking one of our courses next year to sharpen your trading skills, listen to the JDfn educational Internet-radio web casts, read periodicals (like The James Dicks Magazine), get a book on how to improve your trading techniques or sign up for personal coaching sessions. There are many ways to insure your success next year, but right now, hang on to the holidays and enjoy them while they're here.
Happy Holidays and Happy Investing!
Originally published in James Dicks: Buy*Sell*Hold magazine.