| Unless you've been living in a cave, you've no doubt | | | | don't have adequate resources. But responding with |
| noticed how much you've been hearing about the | | | | fear isn't the answer. |
| economy. People are worried about their own | | | | Instead, when things are tight financially, it is important |
| finances, especially since they have had to dig deeper | | | | to look at HOW you are spending our resources and |
| as gas and grocery prices rise. When things get tight | | | | look at whether or not you are making the most |
| financially, people tend to watch the money they spend | | | | effective use of those resources. |
| even closer. | | | | Are you doing what you've always done in your life, |
| It is not only important to pay attention to what you | | | | even if it doesn't seem to be working? Or, can you |
| spend your money on, it is even more important to | | | | find resources to help you become more effective in |
| spend your money (as well as all of your resources) in | | | | your life, in your work, in your relationships? Can you |
| a way that serves you effectively. | | | | use your resources more efficiently, so that you are |
| Money is there to serve us; it is a resource for us to | | | | not wasting your time, money and energy? |
| use to obtain something of value. Evaluating the value | | | | To get more effective use of your resources, ask |
| of what you spend your money on makes sense all of | | | | yourself the following questions: |
| the time, but is especially important when things are | | | | - Is there another way I can allocate my resources |
| tight financially. | | | | and get better results? |
| When things are tight, people often cut back on their | | | | - Could I accomplish my goals more quickly? |
| spending to save money. While this may seem logical, | | | | - Could I work more efficiently? |
| it isn't always the best strategy. Too often people stop | | | | - Are there obstacles to my success, that, if removed, |
| spending on things that could make a real difference in | | | | could allow me to make more money, have a better |
| their lives. | | | | quality of life, and be the best person I can imagine |
| For example, people who are really struggling to | | | | being? If so, is it more effective for me to postpone |
| function day to day may decide that they can't afford | | | | that success because things are tight? |
| psychotherapy. Instead, they end up losing their job. | | | | - Can I afford to postpone doing what I need to do? |
| Sometimes people who have serious health problems | | | | Will that cost me more in the long run? |
| decide that they can't afford to buy medicine. How | | | | Looking at how you are spending your resources of |
| expensive is hospitalization or missed work because a | | | | money, time and energy and finding the most effective |
| condition flairs up? | | | | way to move forward makes good economic sense. |
| Sometimes business people decide they need to cut | | | | In fact, it may allow you to excel and move forward at |
| back on their marketing efforts. Guess what happens | | | | a time when others are struggling just to hold their |
| to their business? | | | | own. |
| People often have to make hard choices when they | | | | (c) 2008 Linda Pucci, Ph.D. |