http://www.pomelicot.com/life/motivation-means-nothing

If you get a chance, check out this LifeSpace.com article on Financial Mastery

It is all about setting financial goals.

Thanks again for the great work.

I, too have set some fairly aggressive goals in my life (recently I set a goal to pay off my student loans by the end of 2011 – I have a plan. I have already started selling stuff and working harder to hit that goal. And I’m on my way).

The goals that I have not achieved have failed at least one of the SMART elements. For example, I tried to get two new accounts by June 2010 in February. I knew that was probably unrealistic, but I tried to get crazy-aggressive. I ended up with one new account. That was great, but I should have set a more realistic goal. If I had set it for one new account I would have been psyched. Because I was too aggressive, I was disappointed – over the same, great result.

Nobody’s perfect. We all make mistakes. I’d rather take advice from someone that’s tried several methods and can say how easy/hard they hard it is and know exactly what they should be doing to get out of that situation.

I’d much rather take health advice from someone who’s fat than someone who’s skinny and never had to think about their weight but preach “just start running” or “just watch what you eat” like it’s easy, or you’re too dumb to know that.

So, I wasn’t there for the prius debate but as long as Trent is not feeling guilty for it and has paid off the debt since, who cares? People make mistakes (or not, depending on who’s point of view it is).

You know, I’m sick and tired of hearing people find fault in others who are trying to do the right thing. My mother in law critized us for having a $100 a month emergency fund! Or for carpooling to the west coat to see my family cuz I haven’t seen them for over a year! (A trip that will cost less than $300, that is saved up for, and that is the very well deserved holidays of someone that works 12 hour days 7 days a week!)

If he was giving advice and not following ANY of it, then there’s a serious problem. If he’s following 90% of it, then he’s human, no?

Where I teach, use the SMART goals paradigm:

Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Timely

It’s similar to what Trent is saying, but a little more detailed. I like it.

I read a lot of things online, and often do not know much about the person giving their opinion. The advice is either good or it’s not. If a fat person gives me some great advice on losing weight I shouldn’t consider it because they are fat? That doesn’t make any sense. Would the words be more useful if they came out of a healthier person’s mouth? It is the same advice either way.

If you can stay focused on your long term goals, short term goals may not be a necessity

I agree with setting goals, I have a tendency to just got into a holding pattern in my life when I dont set goals.

I really like the post. This, more than any other post in this series, hits home for me. I’m financially secure despite not making much, and I’m good with money. What I am bad with is goal setting (and I didn’t realize that until I read this post!). I have a lot of someday dreams. A few years ago, I put several things into motion, accomplished a few dreams, and was really happy (for example, I took an extra job to save up money for a New Zealand trip, and I sold a lot of things to buy a new laptop). Since then, I’ve let life/work/my relationship get in the way of making and achieving my *big* dreams.

My boyfriend gets back into town tomorrow. I think next week would be a great time for us to talk through both our future goals AND how to start acting on them.

What I mean is that these things should be the journey to our goals, not the goals themselves. Even lacking self-discipline (which I always consider the biggest financial killer) can be overcome much faster if you set obtainable goals.

And to the question about taking advice from people who don’t seem to always follow it…of course I would. If someone gives me sound advice, I’m not going to ignore it because they had a time in their life when they didn’t follow it.

You made a very good point in “No day should pass without at least a bit of reflection on what you can do today to move towards the goal”. I find that’s probably one of the most important thing you can do for your goal, the rest is just details.

A simple way that I find works for me is to just write down all my current goals in a journal or some software, everyday. Even though they’re just repeated sentences, just write them down. Once it becomes a habit, you will find yourself automatically thinking about and doing things that are moving you closer to your goals.

The only thing I take issue with here is how Trent sometimes doesn’t seem to realize that buying shiny new things for reasons other than having something shiny and new is something that other people do too, not just him.

Lastly, I like nice cars and see nothing wrong with purchasing one as long as you apply your best deal tactics. Being frugal doesn’t mean you always have to pick the discount stuff. My goal list has a used red convertable mercedes on it. But, I’m happy walking until I save the money. :)

Would you take diet advice from a fat person?

Would you take health advice from a smoker?

Would you take parenting advice from someone who doesn’t have kids?

Then why would you take finance advice from someone whose actions contradict their own advice?