Apr 11
7
Mapping out your financial future
Ever noticed how great ideas come to you on the flight home from a vacation? Your mind gets uncluttered, then new thoughts and solutions to problems in your life start to flow. A few weeks ago, I was flying home from an invigorating spring break ski trip in Park City; I spent half an hour mapping out a clear plan that would create a significant improvement in my financial life while on the verge of an empty nest and two sons in college.
The idea was something I had thought about briefly in fleeting moments for some time, and I had even mentioned it to my husband without much reception. Fortunately, he was seated next to me on the plane, so there was no escaping as I put pencil to paper and stepped through my idea, calculator in hand. It was easy, fun and incredibly empowering to create this plan. Just the feeling that I control my financial journey with the decisions about how I make and spend money almost feels like magic.
I realized that I actually enjoy financial planning and mapping out new ideas with various outcomes. Maybe this comes easily to me because I have been dealing with finances and investing for well over two decades now. Then it hit me that this process is not as easy or fun for everyone, and that I could share this skill with others to help them feel more empowered about their money and help them reach their financial goals. At that moment, I decided to create a course including the steps I went through that day on the plane, so that others can have some inspiration and fun while creating that same feeling of financial empowerment and clarity.
One of the steps we will be going through on the course is brainstorming ideas to generate additional income. I believe that every single person has a talent to share with the world, whether that gift is setting a beautiful table, getting a product manufactured overseas, or helping others begin an exercise routine. All it takes to begin writing a book is to start typing; self-publishing has become simple and respectable. Creating a blog is almost as easy. It seems crazy now that I thought for several years about creating my financial blog before I got out of my own way and actually did it.
What gift can you share with the world to create a small business to generate income and help others along the way? Maybe dipping your toes into your own business is as simple and inexpensive as listing your skills on an online freelance site, such as guru.com or elance.com. Remember that there can also be tax benefits that may lower your overall tax obligation if your intention is to make a profit.
Get your journal and write out the things that you know how to do really, really well; circle the ones you love doing. Jot down your best skills, such as writing or speaking. Get your creative juices flowing. Sure, you’ll need a little business plan before you spend much money, especially if your cash flow is tight right now. But first, allow your mind to let ideas flow. Think of all of the wonderful women owned businesses that started just this way. It’s time to flourish!
