Long Term Thinking and Planning

Posted on October 22, 2020 by admin

Long-term thinking and planning are core values

In the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey explains in the book’s second habit that it’s important to “Begin with the End in Mind”. This habit is all about knowing your purpose and what you’re trying to achieve. Beginning with the end in mind is all about asking yourself questions to determine your long term objectives and the reasons behind wanting to achieve them.

Habit 2 is based on imagination–the ability to envision in your mind what you cannot at present see with your eyes, according to FranklinCovey. It is based on the principle that all things are created twice. There is a mental (first) creation, and a physical (second) creation. The physical creation follows the mental, just as a building follows a blueprint. If you don’t make a conscious effort to visualize who you are and what you want in life, then you empower other people and circumstances to shape you and your life by default.

“Are you–right now–who you want to be, what you dreamed you’d be, doing what you always wanted to do?” FranklinCovey

According to Covey, before you can live a purposeful, meaningful life, you’ve got to have a vision of what that life looks like. When you know how you want people to talk about and remember you at the end of our life, you can start taking action now to make that scenario a reality later. With the ‘End in Mind’, you’ll know what you need to do day to day and week to week to get there.

‘Begin with the End in Mind’ means to begin each day, task, or project with a clear vision of your desired direction and destination, and then continue by flexing your proactive muscles to make things happen.

It’s never too late to change course.

“People are working harder than ever, but because they lack clarity and vision, they aren’t getting very far. They, in essence, are pushing a rope with all of their might.” Dr. Stephen R. Covey

Personal journeys are all about defining your direction and moving towards it with consistency, perseverance and persistence. It’s important to remember that you are in control of developing your personal journeys to wealth, health and emotional well-being.

It’s imperative to understand that if you don’t have an end goal in mind, how will you know where are you going. How can you possibly know whether you’ve succeeded, failed or reached a place somewhere in between, if you don’t know your destination. Knowing your end goal can give you the continued motivation you need to achieve success.

Yet, the end product (goal) isn’t as important as the process. As Covey explains, “writing a mission statement changes you because it forces you to think through your priorities deeply, carefully, and to align your behavior with your beliefs.”

Additionally, it’s important to ‘focus on the process’. Remember, the important thing is that you’re intentionally thinking about what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning on a daily basis and how to get there.

References:

America’s Mental Health Epidemic

Posted on September 18, 2020 by admin

“Be sure to give each other a lot of grace and be kind and forgiving to each other. We’re all experiencing heightened levels of uncertainty and anxiety right now. Giving an extra beat of patience to others is critical.” Dani Fallin, chair of the Department of Mental Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

The mental health impact of COVID-19 are real, widespread and growing exponentially. The immense stress and emotional trauma experienced by vulnerable individuals, families and households amid the pandemic has given rise to an unprecedented mental-health crisis. Additionally, there’s strong evidence showing that social isolation and distancing can increase symptoms of mental illnesses like depression and anxiety.

Data is staggering

The latest data reveals some of the most frightening and staggering spikes in anxiety, depression, substance use, drug overdose and suicide rates that behavioral-health experts have ever witnessed, according to Babette Hankey, president/CEO of Aspire Health Partners in Orlando.

A recent survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on adult mental health found that more than 40% of U.S. adults have reported at least one mental health issue during this pandemic, and more than 1 in 10 adults had seriously considered suicide. During this period, 7 out of 10 young adults (18-24 years old) reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression and more than 25% have seriously considered suicide.

In the wake of the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak, many people may feel anxiety or stress.

Everyone responses differently

Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations such as the seemingly enduring COVID-19 pandemic infectious disease outbreak. It is normal to experience a wide range of emotions. Yet, it’s important for people to take care of themselves physically, emotionally, and mentally.

According to the CDC study, the rate of substance abuse and/or suicidal thoughts among unpaid caregivers more than tripled between May and the end of June.

Older Americans appear to be more resilient to the strain of the pandemic compared to the young: The study found rates of anxiety, depression, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts were most prevalent among those aged 18 to 24, and the prevalence of these issues “decreased progressively with age.”

Black and Hispanic Americans tended to have higher rates of mental health issues tied to the pandemic than did whites, the study also found.

Of course, unemployment or the threat of it is a major source of anxiety for millions in 2020. So, efforts aimed at “strengthening economic supports to reduce financial strain” should be part of an effort to boost mental health, the researchers said.

According to the CDC, reactions during the outbreak can include:

Fear and worry about your health status and that of your loved ones who may have been exposed to COVID-19.
Increase levels of stress, anxiety, hopelessness and depression.
Changes in sleep or eating patterns.
Difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
Worsening of chronic health problems.
Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs.

Learning to cope with anxiety and stress

Figuring out ways to cope with anxiety and stress can help you, your loved ones and your community. If stress begins to interfere with your daily life, reach out to your healthcare provider.

These numbers, although startling, are unsurprising to mental health experts given the emotionally taxing measures local and state governments have taken to reduce the spread of the virus: children and grandchildren have been separated from their parents and grandparents; students are prevented from attending school; and the sick and dying have been denied the embrace of loved ones.

During this unique moment in the nation’s history, American society and economy have slowed down, we’re experiencing unprecedented social unrest and political rancor, and, many have been left feeling powerless and uncertain about their physical health and financial wellbeing as well as that of their loved ones.

https://youtu.be/60kGONUJSRY

The importance of self-care during this challenging time.

“Seek out ways to have social and professional engagement while adhering to social distancing…can help people feel connected socially with their colleagues, family, and friends, and maintain a sense of belonging.” Dani Fallin, chair of the Department of Mental Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Avoid excessive exposure to media coverage of COVID-19. Be aware and conscious of your news and media intake. The more time you spend consuming news about the pandemic, the more likely you are to feel anxious and concerned. That’s especially true at home, when you’re able to access news media 24/7.
Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch or meditate. Eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep and avoid alcohol, smoking and drugs.
Make time to unwind and remind yourself that strong feelings will fade. Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories. It can be upsetting to hear about the crisis and see images repeatedly. Try to do some other activities you enjoy to return to your healthy life.
Learn a new hobby or skill like gardening, a foreign language or a musical instrument. Devote yourself to learning and growing everyday.
Connect with others. Share your concerns and how you are feeling with a friend or family member. Maintain healthy relationships.
Maintain a sense of hope that “this too shall pass” and maintain positive outlook and thinking. Have faith in your inherent resilience to persevere and overcome life’s extraordinary challenges brought on by the pandemic.

Take care of your mental health

Mental health is an important part of overall physical health and emotional wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It may also affect how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices during uncertain situations or an emergency.

Again, we stress to contact your healthcare provider if you think you have new or worsening mental health symptoms or stress (or anxiety) gets in the way of your daily activities for consecutive days.

References:

Purpose of Saving

Posted on August 1, 2020 by admin

Save for the long term. Saving and investing are a marathon. To power through saving and investing, you need purpose, patience and stamina.

As a general rule, it’s recommended that individuals save and invest 15% of their gross income into a retirement fund or funds like a 401(k), 403(b), IRA, etc. The exact amount depends on the individual, but the sooner individuals begin saving, the better.

Delaying saving until you have more money to contribute could mean less funds in the future, as your investment won’t have as much time to earn compounding interest.

The impact of compounding is greater the earlier you start saving. You’ll earn not only from the money you invest but also from previous earnings. Not to mention, the sooner you work savings into your budget, the easier it will be to live within your means and prioritize savings in the future.

No matter how little, contribute what you can to your selected plan. Any time you see an increase in salary, receive a bonus or pay off a debt, consider increasing your contribution.

“Savings is the money set aside for emergencies and major purchases like a vehicle or a house. Savings is about setting aside money for future use.”

Most Americans don’t feel prepared for retirement. Fully 58% of workers with pay of more than $100,000 indicated they are not saving enough for retirement; that percentage increases to 69% across income levels. Additionally, 18% of people who earn more than $100,000 say they live paycheck to paycheck which makes it difficult to save for retirement, according to a survey of 8,000 workers by global advisory firm Willis Towers Watson. Frankly, the problem is simply that Americans aren’t saving enough.

Experts say there are ways to up your retirement savings, even if you’re feeling financially stretched. First, look for ways to slash your current spending to free up extra cash or consider a side gig to earn more.

Saving money takes effort and discipline

“Do not save what is left after spending but spend what is left after saving.” Warren Buffet

Saving does requires self discipline and desire to save and to not spend more than you earn. That lack of frugality could explain why 58% of Americans have less than $1,000 in savings. But, saving money can be simple when you develop the correct mindset and create positive savings habits. Add, savings can get easier to accomplish when you actually know where your earnings go month after month.

Automate your savings

Automate your savings is about setting aside a portion of your earnings that would go directly into either a bank account or a retirement plan, depending on your financial goals and plan. You can also set automatic transfers from your checking to savings accounts to fund important goals and create automatic bill pay so you never forget to handle a fixed expense. With an automatic transfer of a portion of your earnings, you’re effectively paying yourself first as a means to save money, and at the same time, you will not really miss the cash you’re socking away.

Reasons to Save and Invest

If you require motivation to save money, make a competition or game out of saving money. By making it interesting and competitive, saving should become more deliberate. Thus, a good way to boost your cash reserves is to find someone who’s willing to engage in a savings contest.This will encourage you to save money that will put you on the path of buying yourself more financial security.

Another trick to staying motivated and on track, set small saving goals and milestones that will give you a sense of progress. For example, make a point to celebrate saving and investing accounts reach $10K, $25K and $100K in assets.

You cannot save your way to financial independence and wealth. The only reasons to save are to create an emergency fund, to set aside money for a short term major purchase like a house or vehicle, and to invest it. Saving money will put you on the path of buying yourself more financial security.

The difference between saving and investing comes down to accumulating money vs. making money grow. Both are important and it essential to understand how to make saving and investing work together. It’s important to put your money to work for you. Put your saved money into investment accounts and never use these accounts for anything, not even an emergency. This will force you to create an emergency fund.

Avoid debt that doesn’t produce cash flow

“Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it … he who doesn’t … pays it.” Albert Einstein

Make it a personal financial rule that you will never use debt that doesn’t make you money. You should only borrow money to purchase assets that increase your income or create positive cash flow. Financially savvy people use debt to leverage investments and grow cash flows. Financially non-savvy spenders use debt to buy good and services that make others richer.

Debt is one of the big three destroyers wealth and can wreck havoc on one’s ability to achieve financial security and independence. It can quickly get out of hand especially when people habitually spend more than they earn to live a lifestyle they cannot afford. Debt can compound to the detriment of a spender if consumers fail to pay off credit card balances each month.

References:

Pledge to Action

Posted on June 18, 2020 by admin

Recently, four Black Alumni from the U.S. Naval Academy’s Class of 1988 penned a short, yet strong message and call to action ‘Pledge’. The Pledge was written for and shared with their approximately one thousand classmates.

They asked their classmates “to read carefully and consider acknowledging publicly” the intent and and message of the Pledge.

I offer their message to my blog readers to do likewise, to read carefully and consider acknowledging.

Pledge:

“Recent reprehensive comments of a fellow Naval Academy alumnus, along with the worldwide call to address racial inequality and police brutality have deeply impacted many of us in ’88.”

“We have drafted a Pledge that we ask each of you to read carefully and consider acknowledging publicly.”

“This Pledge is not only about race, but about openly discussing and understanding all our differences as people and offering a deeper level of support for each other in a way that many of us have already come to embrace in our lives.”

“It is about conversation, engagement, and using our influence to help us be even stronger as a class and better friends.”

I will take these 3 steps:

1. Listen to my peers.

I will interact intentionally with shipmates and have real conversations about our respective life experiences.
My commitment is not only to hear but also to try to understand. I pledge to listen to my Class of 1988 brothers and sisters.

2. Lead by example.

I will engage to address any displays of injustice and any statements of untruths.
If I am in an environment among friends or peers and something insensitive, derogatory, or untrue is proffered, I will reject it and encourage others to do the same.
I will lead by example. Silence is no longer an option.
What I can do, I will do.

3. Leverage my network.

I will use my sphere of influence, an important extension of me, to the benefit of my classmates and the U.S. Naval Academy.

It is critical that we all affirm our commitment to fairness and integrity, and that we carry out our message to the broadest audience possible.

One of their Naval Academy classmate wrote an article that appeared on the website www.medium.com where she pledged to do the following:

“I recognize that we are men and women of action, and only through our actions can we effect a change.” She wrote. “Because it is not enough to only recognize and speak against the mistreatment of our brothers and sisters who served alongside me, I commit to you that I will also engage on your behalf.”

“What I can do, I will do. I commit to each of you to serve alongside you.”

References:

Understanding the Black Experience | Psychology Today

Posted on June 11, 2020 by admin

“Can a White Person Understand the Black Experience? Layers of pain, mistrust, and taboos keep people divided along racial lines.”

Having frank discussions about or asking questions about racism and injustice is challenging for many well-meaning people. They simply don’t know how to approach or “connect to our fellow human beings who are from different ethnic/racial groups and cultural traditions”.

This is particularly difficult when there are over 200 years of racism, injustice and oppression between groups; and, it is difficult while significant social, health and economic inequities remain.

Without an American and world history lesson, it’s safe to say that there are many reasons for discomfort on both sides. This is the major reason why most White people do not understand the African American experience in America.

“Yet, making an authentic connection with another person means understanding, empathizing, and being able to see the world through their eyes.” And, it is hard to imagine that people of color are living a completely different experience in America simply by virtue of their race, ethnicity or gender.

Racism hurts.

As much as people of color adopt a stoic attitude and pretend that racism does not impact their psyche, repeated and persistent racism can be traumatic. And it hurts doubly so when those around refuse to acknowledge the experience and its potential impact. Well meaning people tend to view an experience as only a single racist occurrence, rather than understand that the incident adds to a lifetime of accumulated experiences and frustrations.

People of color do not want other people to discount their experiences or tell them that they’re being overly sensitive. So if you are a White person patiently waiting for a “Black person to spontaneously share their experience, you may be waiting a long time.”

References:

Power of Vulnerability

Posted on May 31, 2020 by admin

In a speech that Teddy Roosevelt gave in 1910, Roosevelt said:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.”

The powerful Roosevelt quote resonated with Dr. Brené Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, who gave the blockbuster TEDTalks “Brené Brown: The Power of Vulnerability”.

In the introduction to her book, Dr. Brown comments on Roosevelt’s words, which she says perfectly encapsulate her research into why she and other researchers find being vulnerable such a hard thing to do.

According to Dr. Brené Brown, Ph.D, in he book, Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead:

“When we spend our lives waiting until we’re perfect or bulletproof before we walk into the arena, we ultimately sacrifice relationships and opportunities that may not be recoverable, we squander our precious time, and we turn our backs on our gifts, those unique contributions that only we can make,” says Dr. Brown. “Perfect bulletproof are seductive, but they don’t exist in the human experience.”

Here are a summary of the ThenPower of Vulnerability key points:

Vulnerability makes you authentic and allows you to feel love, belonging and joy
To be vulnerable you have to:
– Internalize that you are a worthy (of being loved) and enough the way you are
– Have the courage of showing up and engaging even if could hurt
“Your willingness to own and engage your vulnerability determines the depth of your courage”

“Daring greatly means the courage to be vulnerable. It means to show up and be seen. To ask for what you need. To talk about how you’re feeling. To have the hard conversations,” according to Dr. Brown.

Source: 5 insights from Brené Brown’s new book, Daring Greatly

https://thepowermoves.com/daring-greatly-summary/

Mindset: Creating Your Own Opportunities

Posted on May 26, 2020 by admin

“You either walk inside your own story and own it or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness.” Dr. Brené Brown, Ph.D

Dr. Brené Brown’s research has shown that you are the only person responsible for your life story and its outcomes. Not your mother; not your spouse; and, definitely not your “bestie” are responsible. You , and you alone, must take responsibility and assume accountability for your thoughts, your habits and your behavior that have resulted in the outcome of your current life.

If you want things to happen in your life for the better and want to improve the trajectory of your life, then you need to do something about it. If you just sit about waiting for opportunities to come to you or waiting for the government to come to the rescue, it is likely that they will never happen.

You, and only you, need to make your own opportunities in life if you want to become a success. Set goals and take action to steer your life in the direction you want it to go, and take advantage every chance and opportunity that comes your way.

Yes, it takes courage and accepting that occasionally you will fail and ‘get your ass kicked’ in the process of creating your own opportunities.

Dr. Brown’s research on the power of vulnerability has shown that without the willingness to rumble with one’s vulnerability, you are unlikely to achieve the success and life you desire without a willingness to accept failing and accept ‘getting your ass kicked’ on occasion. Vulnerability is the emotion you experience during times of risk, uncertainty and emotional exposure.

References:

https://moneyinc.com/brene-brown-quotes/

Dr. Brené Brown, Ph.D, is a professor, researcher and lecturer on the subject of vulnerability, best selling author of ‘Daring Greatly‘, and podcast host. She is based at the University of Houston’s Graduate College of Social Work.

7 Habits to Help Build Your Wealth | U.S. News and World Report

Posted on May 20, 2020 by admin

By Paulina Likos. — U.S.News & World Report May 18, 2020

Successful investors practice these habits to be one step ahead of the market.

Develop a routine of successful investing habits.

When you’re investing for your financial future, practicing successful habits is a fundamental step in constructing a resilient portfolio. It’s evident that in the world of investing, money management can get complex. That’s why having the right habits ingrained in your investment approaches is important in bringing clarity to your decision-making and confidence in your portfolio management. Here are seven habits that will help guide you through investing decisions during unprecedented market movements.

Periodically review your investment plan.

Know what your specific financial goals are and develop an investment policy statement. An IPS is a plan that outlines investment objectives and goals for a particular investor drafted by the portfolio manager and their client. This can be a helpful tool to guide portfolio managers on implementing strategies to grow or preserve a client’s investments. Experts advise that clients stick with the initial plan even when drastic market changes occur; however, certain benchmarks should be monitored from time to time. You should examine your risk tolerance and investment plan every six months to ensure you’re on track with your investments when a financial crisis hits. “Changes will likely need to be made in accordance with a well thought out plan that was put in place before the first punch is landed,” says Tim Bain, president of Spark Assessment Management Group.

Invest in what you know.

While experienced investors can try to evaluate the quality of a company, more often than not, it can be difficult to define its overall valuation and understand its trends. Taylor Kovar, CEO of Texas-based Kovar Capital Management, says, “Don’t invest in something you’ve never heard of just because someone online said it was going to make you a millionaire.” It’s best to focus on companies with products that you’re familiar with, that way it will be easier to predict and understand the ebbs and flows of a company and, most importantly, help in managing your portfolio effectively. “Look in your closet [and] kitchen cabinet, and invest in the brand of the products you see,” he says. “This will help you invest in companies you actually enjoy. It’s like you are paying yourself every time you buy their products.”

Stay away from the latest fads.

Investors seeking yield in a low interest rate environment should try to steer clear of fads. This short-term phenomenon is prevalent during market underperformance and tends to be pretty risky. “It is psychologically very difficult to remain true to your patient investing convictions when it seems investors speculating in the latest fad (think cannabis or tech ‘unicorns’) are being rewarded,” says Robert Johnson, professor of finance at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. There are plenty of other ways to diversify your assets rather than putting your money at risk with fads. “One doesn’t need to chase the latest trend to have investment success. Quite the contrary, chasing investment trends can be hazardous to your wealth,” Johnson says.

Be honest with your risk tolerance.

At any stage of your investing journey, it’s important to know if you are a conservative or aggressive investor. Defining risk tolerance is a habit that directly aligns with your financial goals. But sometimes, it can be unclear on how to determine where you lie on the risk spectrum. “Many investors tend to overestimate their level of risk tolerance, which causes them to sell at the worst times,” says Jerry Verseput, president at Veripax Wealth Management in Folsom, California. Market sell-offs like the one in March are good opportunities for investors to assess their feelings honestly as they saw the value of their investments drop.

Keep educating yourself.

An expert tip: Keep reading about how the market is changing. With the pandemic in mind, think about how habits and behaviors are changing in the short term, how that will affect the long term and how future trends might evolve. “What is going to be long-lasting in work and personal life? Do you want to be [investing in] Kodak film or the person investing in digital cameras? Don’t believe what you hear as much as know-how and where to find the facts,” says Peter Creedon, CEO at Crystal Brook Advisors in New York City.

Save for retirement.

Keep investing in your future by adding into your retirement account each month — that’s the power of dollar-cost averaging. Even if some months are fewer than others, allocating some of your income to retirement savings consistently puts long-term investors in a better position toward meeting their future financial goals. You can measure how successful you are as a saver by monitoring your retirement score, an estimate of what your retirement income may look like according to the steps you are taking to save now. This estimation will predict whether you’re on target on meeting your retirement needs or if you need to boost your allocation. It will also give you an idea of how much you will need for retirement and what changes you need to make that happen.

Know when to seek assistance.

Many individual investors try to find “do it yourself” methods for investing. There’s a misconception that successful investors should be monitoring the markets constantly and hold a finance degree, but most experts say the biggest hurdle is knowing when to seek help and how to find the right financial advisor. One tip: Find out what kind of experience the advisor has and which investing strategies they often use. “Make sure in an interview that the advisor shares your investing values and has a well-defined process to develop an investment policy statement for you and your goals,” says Jamie Ebersole, founder and CEO of Ebersole Financial in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts. “If you and your advisor are not aligned on these important issues, it will make for a very frustrating relationship.”

Setting yourself up for investing success.

Periodically review your investment plan.
Invest in what you know.
Stay away from the latest fads.
Be honest about your risk tolerance.
Keep educating yourself.
Save for retirement.
Know when to seek assistance.

Sources:

Habits of the Wealthy Anyone Can Adopt

Posted on May 17, 2020 by admin

“The reason why someone is either rich or poor can be traced back to daily habits.” Tom Corley, author of “Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals”

Replace bad habits and behaviors.

Aristotle, the 4th Century B.C. Greek philosopher, was attributed as saying, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.”

It has been said that nature abhors a vacuum, and the same can be said about habits and behaviors; it’s hard to replace a bad habit or behavior with nothing.

Instead of ceasing a bad financial habit or behavior, investors need to replace them with positive and successful financial habits and behaviors.

Rather than liquidating an account, encourage a replacement behavior like rebalancing, tax-loss harvesting, making more incremental portfolio adjustments, or putting in “crash bids” for high-quality stocks that may be trading at a discount.

It’s easy for individuals to be disorganized, without vision, undirected and at the mercy of poor habits. Embracing good habits often takes ficus, effort and desire to improve. Here are eight rich habits:

Habit #1: Exercise.

Exercised an average of 30 minutes, four days a week.

Habit #2: Build relationships.

Keep a running list of positive influencers in your life and regularly connect with them.

Habit #3: Visualize your goals.

Look at your goals—each set with an expiration date and action plan—when you wakes up and before bed. Attack goals with intensity. Keep goals top of mind, and always in sight. This will yield big results.

Habit #4: Read. A lot.

Start reading two books a month—focusing on emotional well-being, leadership, personal finance, and health

Habit #5: Practice affirmations.

Positive mindset provides a huge influence on one’s quality of life. The more you like yourself, the higher your self-esteem and well-being. Practice daily affirmations related to the most important areas of your life, focusing on faith, family and professional career.

The key to successful affirmations is choosing a mantra that’s tied to a dream and a realistic goal that are specific, achievable and true: “I’m working 10 extra hours per week to make $100,000 by next year.”

Habit #6: Volunteer.

There are many reasons to volunteer; use the opportunity to expand your network of like-minded people. It is an opportunities to give back and to create relationships with high-level thinkers.

Habit #7: Confide in a mentor who’s been in your shoes.

The most successful people on earth value mentors who’ve walked in their shoes and made it to the other side.

Habit #8: Practice gratitude.

Meditate or focus for a few minutes each morning and evening on what your grateful: spouse, kids, job and friends, to name a few. This habit helps you pay more attention to what’s going great in your life, puts life in the correct perspective, and keeps you focused on always moving forward with the right attitude.

Henry David Thoreau once said, “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.”

If you want to remain unrewarded, unfulfilled and ultimately unhappy, then continue to accept your habits which are not useful to fulfilling your aspirations, dreams and desires.

Bonus Habit:

“If you want to become really wealthy, you must have your money work for you. The amount you get paid for your personal effort is relatively small compared with the amount you can earn by having your money make money.” John D. Rockefeller

References:

Staying Physically Active and Socially Connected

Posted on May 8, 2020 by admin

Physical distancing, not social distancing is mandated

Blame psychology for why many Americans still cannot accept the gravity of the coronavirus pandemic.

First, foresight is not a particular skill for most of us, experts say.
And “live free or die” is more than a slogan; it’s an apt description for the mindset of many Americans.
Finally, it is hard to assess the threat of an enemy you can’t see.

American mindset is another reason it’s so hard to enforce strict public health measures. Americans are independent-minded and don’t willingly sacrifice personal freedom for the sake of the wider society. That’s especially so for people who distrust science, detest government regulations and have never seen a situation like this pandemic with their own eyes.

Image of SARS-CoV-2, virus that causes COVID-19

Social Distancing

With the advent of the pandemic, we have been hearing a lot about “social distancing”, which according to governments and medical authorities mean we should keep at least 6 feet apart from others, as much as possible.

But clearly, it’s about keeping your physical distance at least six feet from others and not about increasing your social distance from family, friends and neighbors.

Governmental authorities screwed the pooch on the phrasing of social distancing. The term “social distancing” is not only a misnomer, it is exactly the opposite of what people should do during the current pandemic.

During a time of great fear and uncertainty, it’s important to stay connected to people that matter most in your life. Whether it be with friends or family, social interaction is important for communities. It keeps us feeling like we’re all a part of something greater than ourselves.

Stay Physically and Socially Active

Staying active can help you stay healthy both physically and emotionally. Take a walk. Take a virtual exercise or dance glass.

Staying socially connected is an important part of our emotional health. Human beings are social animals. Man was not created to be or exist alone. Most people need a certain amount of social interaction every week, or they start to feel isolated and alone. Social interaction can still occur, even as we retire and age. It just needs to occur in a different way when compared the our working years .

And remember, we must keep our physical distance to hinder the virus spread. But, we must stay emotionally and socially connected with our family and friends. Go out of your way to reach out to those who are socially alone and isolated.

We are in this together and awe will overcome this together. As a result, you should keep a physical distance at least 6 feet apart from others, but clearly this has nothing to do keeping socially distant from others. Instead, it’s all about keeping your physical distance from others.

References:

Brownlee Global: Gratitude to Greatness

Helping People Live the Lives They Want

Tag Archives: Mindset

Long Term Thinking and Planning

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America’s Mental Health Epidemic

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Purpose of Saving

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Pledge to Action

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Understanding the Black Experience | Psychology Today

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Power of Vulnerability

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Mindset: Creating Your Own Opportunities

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7 Habits to Help Build Your Wealth | U.S. News and World Report

By Paulina Likos. — U.S.News & World Report May 18, 2020

Successful investors practice these habits to be one step ahead of the market.

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Habits of the Wealthy Anyone Can Adopt

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Staying Physically Active and Socially Connected

Physical distancing, not social distancing is mandated

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