Small Changes, Huge Results.

We're rapidly approaching the middle of 2014 and the end of the Australian financial year. The federal budget was handed down this week and no big surprises that it has been a tough one. But, and this is a very big but, we don't need to be drawn into the shock horror distraction that the budget and the media want us to.

Several years ago at conference in Perth, a highly successful American Dean Kosage spoke about getting left behind with the dramatic changes that are occurring on a global business front.

How's the year looking compared with how you thought it would back in January? Or any of the five years before that. For many of us the picture isn't quite the same. For a fortunate few it is actually much better.

So what is it that these fortunate few are doing that many of us aren't. They are obviously doing something different. They understand that definition of insanity that is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting something different to happen.

Basically something has happened that's caused a shift in thinking, a shift in the way things are seen and done. Imagine that how different your life could be with extra income or more precisely cashflow. For many that means extra work and being already tired from what we're doing now.

Think too about the amount of change in the way thing are done and the regulations that govern our lives. A few years ago a federal politician said that if you have enough money (cashflow) it doesn't matter who's governing the country. In many ways he's right.

There is no formal training in handling our money and usually it's just bits and pieces we pick up along the way that forms our plans and ideas. The best way to succeed at anything is to learn from those who've already succeeded.

Economic Vision was written at the outset of the Global Economic Crisis in 2008 and provides a simple, understandable way of becoming financially secure.

I look forward to meeting with you and your community members in the near future.

Kim Stedman

Learning to Succeed

Writers sometimes experience a thing called 'writers block.' This is that time when you're stuck at a certain point and can't seem to move forward, not even a single step.

Many of us experience something similar at various stages of our lives. Fellow author John White (author of No Bars Hold) is also a counsellor and therapist. His view on things that stop us is generally a lack of skills. Once we have those skills we can overcome most things.

Kathleen O'Dwyer, former teacher and author of 'Stressed, One Woman's Story' says that in her teaching career the first objective would be to instil in students a passion for learning. Then teach them how to access the information.

Occasionally sitting in on classes that she was ran was insightful, often with there being many lessons within lessons.

All the time teaching skills that enhanced the students (5 to 12 year olds) aptitude and attitude. Learning is not a right nor is it something to be taken for granted either.

There is a lot of dialogue over the benefits of schooling in the various systems which are generally either run by government or vested interests, including religious orders.

Both have their place as one size doesn't fit all. One student, having made the transition from a regimented school to a more pastoral one, blossomed at age sixteen to go on to become highly successful in his own business in his chosen field.

Another apparent benefit of the pastoral system became apparent when he became a parent.

One of the greatest skills we can learn is the improvement of our minds.

My passion for learning came later in life and thankfully it was as a result of a dream and vision to lead a better life.

By products of a well rounded formal education, continuing to learn about ourselves, how we operate and interact leads to a much greater self assuredness in both the workplace and in society in general.

Knowledge is not hard to carry. From a pool of knowledge and experience we gain wisdom and eventually become intuitive. The great benefit of this is that it frees up time and thinking space. This in turn can lead to greater inspiration and creativity and ultimately a higher, more satisfying quality of life.

As little as twenty minutes a day means a book a month providing the ability to learn from others knowledge, experience and wisdom.

This is where real lifestyle begins.

Lifestyle, while it means different things to different people has certain elements that mean a richer quality of life. There's a familiar story of families falling apart through neglect brought about by an overemphasis on vocational activities.

Human needs are both broad and diverse and learning what makes us, our partners and families tick really well is largely about balance. Love is spelled 'q-u-l-i-t-y t-i-m-e'. Same goes for fun.

Quality time from the very young to the very old enriches the lives of all concerned. The added benefit is the two way passage of love and affection. It is the setting aside of the contents of our mind

Review Time

       Here we are a quarter of the way through 2014. How's the year looking compared with how you thought it would back in January? Or any of the five years before that. For many of us the picture isn't quite the same. 

       For a fortunate few it is actually much better. 

       So what is it that these fortunate few are doing that many of us aren't. They are obviously doing something different. They understand that definition of insanity that is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting something different to happen.

       Basically something has happened that's caused a shift in thinking, a shift in the way things are seen and done. Imagine that how different your life could be with extra income or more precisely cashflow. For many that means extra work and being already tired from what we're doing now.

       Think too about the amount of change in the way things are done and the regulations that govern our lives. A few years ago a federal politician said that if you have enough money (cashflow) it doesn't matter who's governing the country. In many ways he's right.

       There is no formal training in handling our money and usually it's just bits and pieces we pick up along the way that forms our plans and ideas. The best way to succeed at anything is to learn from those who've already succeeded. 

       Economic Vision was written at the outset of the Global Economic Crisis in late 2009 and provides a simple, understandable way of becoming financially secure.

        One of the seven keys of financial security and freedom is to review your current situation and take a few minutes to consider how you're doing now in comparison to how secure you want to feel and be in the future.

        In the next few months Economic Vision will be in communities around Australia presenting ways to change the financial security for you and your family. A good starting point is to review the basics and see how you can enhance your life from here on. 

        Kathleen O'Dwyers 'Simply Brilliant Budgeting' is based on the practical experience of a teacher who found a better way and became an entrepreneur.

         Economic Vision, the foundation of personal financial freedom' is based on principles that have been used by successful people for generations. It provides the 'how to' build security and success from the ground up.

       I look forward to meeting with you and your community members in the near future.

A New Year

 So 2013 has come and almost gone. In this time between Christmas and New Year many take the time to review the year that was and plan coming year. This is the perfect time as there are generally less demands plus there's that expectancy that the next year will be better than the last.

A few ideas that will help is to firstly start by forgetting the year that was. It's gone and there's nothing you can change about it. What can be changed however are the outcomes you're wanting in your future.

Now with a pen, a pad and a cup or glass of your favourite beverage identify what you would like to see on your list of achievements at the end of 2014. These are not just financial either. Add the things that make life meaningful. Health, love life, travel, personal growth, friends you'd like to visit, places or events you'd like to travel too.

The part that makes it interesting is who you'd like to have involved in these goals and ideals including friends, family, business colleagues. As for the places and events these are virtually limitless, but to make the most of them is to be prepared and have the time and health to enjoy them.

In setting goals it's always good to raise the bar, to be able to see improvement in the end. There's an old say that goes, if you're not moving forward then you're gong backwards. Plan for more happy things and don't forget to add rewards for your achievements. Rewards are a great way to remain motivated.

Have the plans written down somewhere that you can read them regularly as repetition is one of the best ways to convince your mind that they are real and achievable, as well as fun. Having plans is a great way of measuring the progress towards the goals and dreams that, on their achievement, will add significantly to your life.

Finally, be grateful for what you have. Make a list of thing you're grateful for now, read it often and you'll find it becomes a great mood lifter.

I'd like to wish you a happy, prosperous and successful year in 2014.

Changes and Your future.

Based on chapter five of Economic Vision.

A couple of weeks ago I spent half a day reviewing the first quarter of 2013 and planning the second. Two things became apparent from this exercise. The first, the plans and goals for the year are on track and the things that will be needed to achieve the second half are falling into place.

The greatest part of the first half was ticking the boxes of what needed doing and putting into place so that the end result for 2013 could be achieved.

That half day also helped identify a couple of potential weaknesses in the overall plan. In addressing them I was able to make a quantum leap in achieving objectives of the second quarter.

There are now a couple of questions you need to ask yourself:

Firstly how much of my objectives did I achieve in the first quarter and secoondly what can I do to improve in the second?

Remember "all life is adjustment and balance."
(Morehei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido)

What this great teacher taught was that any change is going to unbalance things. It's necessary therefore to make adjustments to how we see and do things to restore that balance.

The only constant thing is life is change, therefore we need to become good at adapting to change.

This is why planning and reviewing are essential to success.

Kim

Unfair Criticism

It's amazing how many will feel that any discussion relating to money means that speaker is only focussed on the topic.  Focussed? Yes, most definitely! Obsessed? Definitely not.

Awareness of the fact that money rates second to oxygen in our very existence is a good starting point to develop fiscal intelligence.

There are many reasons why we can be drawn to the ideal of something for nothing.  I'll be the first to admit that the idyllic paradise where all is provided with little or no return is quite inviting at times.

But like anything that is not used it would only be a matter of time before boredom would set in and the search would begin for new challenges and adventures.

When the routine of the our lives becomes a drain on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual resources it's easy to look for the easy way out.  To recognise this though is to create solutions that make progress possible even when the energy is low.

One good example is the family with a new infant. From experience having an infant in the home is demanding and while parents may express how they're feeling they still love and care for their child.

It is possible to obtain occasional respite, but the long term task is by far incomplete.

So too with providing for those things which make life meaningful.

If energy is low or health is poor this is not an excuse to quit. It may mean working at a different pace and achieving less. However it is these times where the focus is greater and often more is achieved in a shorter time frame. Similar to starting very early in the morning.

The generations who experienced the depression of the 1930's seem to have had an attitude of whatever happens, ignore it and get on with life. This leads to the philosophy that you're going to feel whatever you're feeling whether you're working or not.

By now many will believe I'm promoting slavery. This is not the case. Such are the failings of human communication.

We all need rest and recreation to recharge ourselves. We need love and laughter, warmth and light. Sure there are times when we need solitude too.

The pursuit of fiscal security and freedom is best achieved through living a balanced  life.'

That's why I created Economic Vision.

My challenge this week is to set a goal of achieving six small objectives each day. Objectives that lead to some greater goal, dream or objective.

Make it a great week.

Kim.

Wanted Success

      There are a wealth of stories where persistence paid off. Sometimes after seemingly overwhelming odds.

    Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor company, was bankrupted several times before going on to become one of the wealthiest men of his time.

    Walt Disney was sacked from one position because he had 'no imagination!' Added to that were the many banks who said his idea simply wouldn't work. He should stick to creating cartoons.

    J. K. Rowling (Author of Harry Potter series) conceived the idea for the series on a train trip from Manchester to London in 1990. She's led a "rags to riches" life story, in which she progressed from living on social security to multi-millionaire status within five years. Now with an estimated net worth of over two hundred and thirty eight million pounds. (Over half a billion dollars) (source Wikipedia)

    Susan Boyle became an 'overnight celebrity' on Britain's Got Talent at the age of forty seven. She was another rags to riches story and after coming runner up in the final though she had missed her chance. Since then she has been following her passion around the world. Singing and delighting people. 

     The interesting thing about these men and women is that they never set out to 'make money.' It was the pursuit of a passion and persistence that saw them become 'wealthy' as a by-product.

     Too often when the focus is on 'making money' lack of results can lead to giving up (and usually just before they would have made it.)

     In Economic Vision the questions are asked; "what is it you enjoy doing or are good at?"  "Are there ways that it could provide an income outside of what you're already doing?" 

     Make a list of ideas you've thought of over the years and see if there's something that still fires your imagination. Then pursue it.

     Who knows where it will lead.