Make a Start
Tax Season is a great time to make some plans and set some money goals. If you have been able to receive a refund or even if you did not have enough tax held on your behalf and owe the ATO, now is the perfect time to make a start.
But where do I start?
Working out how to take that first step can be a stumbling block for many. Being a Type A personality, I function better and achieve more with written plans and lists and they help me get where I want to be. So here are my tips to get you what you want…
Let’s Get Started
What do you want?
Whether what you want is a financial goal or not, money definitely helps to achieve goals, so before you direct your refund anywhere, work out what you would like to achieve before Spring, before Christmas, or this time next year.
If you did not receive a refund, work out how you are going to achieve the goal of paying back the ATO and avoid another bill in your tax return this tax year.
Action: Whatever this might be, write this down!
As Oprah says…
One of the many philosophies that the all powerful Oprah follows is to make decisions with Intention. What is the intention behind your goal? If you can name the intention and stay focussed on this, you are much more likely to achieve your goal.
Action: You must not only write down what your goal is, but you must also write down the intention behind that goal!
Be realistic
Always use the SMART way to set and achieve your goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, and Realistic with a Timeframe. This is mentioned often in our blog, but that is because this works.
Make sure you are realistic with what you can achieve, how and when. Break down your goal to achievable steps. This assists to enable regular celebrations when achieving each step, being that little bit closer to where you want to be.
In a nutshell…
Don’t blow this opportunity! Take the time NOW to get started.
- Make a Start – work out what you want, and write this down
- Make a Statement of Your Intention – work out the reason behind the goal, and write this down
- Make this Realistic – work out the smaller steps to get you there, and write them down!
You can achieve (almost) anything that you set your mind to, as long as you have a plan, and with August here already, the time to plan is now!
– Karen Patterson
