Are you a perfectionist? Do you think … just a little more polishing and you’ll be ready to launch that two-year-old project you’ve revised, reworked and re-engineered to death?

Old School

Are you so old school that you were taught “if it is worth doing, it’s worth doing perfectly?” Well, let me share a truth with you. They were wrong. Your teachers, bosses, parents … all the people who pushed for perfection at the price of completion were off-base and out of step with this time.

I used to be a perfectionist. I made sure there were no critical omissions in my completed documents. The problem is that I didn’t publish as many articles as I might have if perfect wasn’t part of the goal. Actually, perfect was not my personal goal. It was the required operating procedure standing in the way of project completion.

Perfectionism was a girdle in the old-school world. It was tight, restrictive and painful. There was nothing fun about wearing the girdles I wore as a young woman. Why didn’t I question the need to adhere to such a rigid rule then?

I am not endorsing sloppy work. I don’t advocate half-ass effort. I am recommending that you allow yourself the creative freedom of knowing that good enough is good enough.

Life is your personal laboratory. It is yours to explore, experiment, and decide what’s most important to you. It is your place to dream, test ideas, and implement plans. To accomplish more in your life, think of life as a beta.

Do the best you can as quickly as possible, then launch the program, project, or venture. Revise and perfect it later. Think beta –the first iteration. The Microsoft method. Decide how to monetize the initial effort and price future updates. Get it done.

Launch Beta 1. Get Feedback. Revise. Improve. Price. Launch Beta 2 to a market of early adopters waiting expectantly, and to the later-adopters who have been waiting for Beta 2. What a great operating model. Rinse. Repeat. Replay.

Go launch your new product.

Peace and prosperity,

P.S. Get the best money tips, personal finance news and expert interviews. Sign up to the new Financial Fitness eZine.

P.P.S. Join me on Facebook. Click the Become a Fan Facebook button on the right.

© 2010 Judith Stephens. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Are you still doing the same old tired things and hoping for different results? You want to increase your income by 20% this year. But you haven’t actually done anything to make it happen. You know this is the definition of insanity, right? Isn’t it time to change your mind? And a habit or two?

A change in your habits or behavior will bring about new results in your life. Shake things up! Take wobbly toddler steps in the right direction to get you started.

I stopped watching TV. As I watched successful people “entertain” me out of using my time more productively on my own projects, I decided it was crazy to watch them do their jobs at the expense of my own. So for the first time in years, I didn’t watch the Australian Open tennis tournament. I left Venus and Serena Williams to handle their business and I handled mine. It was liberating! Serena won without me. And I finished a new information product. I love progress!

You might want to introduce a daily walk to your routine. Use it to get clear on your goals as you clip along at a steady pace. Or spend 10 minutes meditating first thing in the morning. Or say two affirmations that resonate with you. Or list five things for which you’re grateful at the end of the day.

Decide one thing that you’ll accomplish today. Not just activities, but accomplishments, a completed assignment you can check off the To-Do list. Let these things represent a mindset and momentum shift for  you. Commit that you will complete it by noon, or 3pm. Accept no excuses.

Will you write that proposal that’s been nagging you? If it’s not an income-oriented project, is it operational? Might you compile this month’s bills in one place — like a file folder? How about listing all of your expenses and totaling them? Give yourself the power of knowing exactly where you are financially. It means you have to stop playing games with yourself. What was it — money masturbation 101? Enough already.

Change some variable in your results equation to achieve the outcomes you desire. Make a change in your routine. Do it daily. Adopt habits to develop and strengthen your mental and money muscles. Do it for seven days. Then expect to see different results.

Let me know what habit you adopted, or unproductive habit you stopped. Did it help?

Peace and prosperity,

P.S. I invite you to subscribe to my new Financial Fitness eZine. Get the latest money tips, news and expert interviews. Simply click here and enter your name and email in the form.

A transition is “a life change characterized by a sharp break with the past.” Life’s transitions happen all the time. Often they don’t let you know they are on the way. What was, is no longer.

I recently lost my sister. Technically, Phyllis was my best friend. In actuality, she was the sister I always wanted. Fifteen years ago we adopted each other. Someone to watch our backs. Her transition smacked me upside my head and shattered me. But worst, the business that surrounds the death and dying process left me shell-shocked.

Are you one major transition away from an unexpected disruption of your life? How will an unexpected and unplanned for event impact you? Are you vulnerable? Have you put emergency plans in place? Do you have a Plan B to protect and shelter you from the devastation of unwanted change?

“The death of a loved one imposes cruel demands on the closest survivors. You, more than anyone, need time and space to handle your emotions, gather your thoughts and say goodbye. And yet demands are suddenly coming from all sides.”

I didn’t know. I was unprepared. Dumb is expensive. Here’s my heads up to you so you know.

Transitions

Many people are vulnerable to big transitions. The death of business partner you count on, a surprise divorce request, an unplanned move from your home, or getting laid off from your job can temporarily rock your world. Developing alternative plans — ones you hope not to use — can protect you emotionally and financially. Make a Plan B today and minimize the severity of tomorrow’s thunderstorms.

Yes, you’re married to a wonderful person. One you love and trust. Your relationship is secure and special. But ask yourself … what if? In America we have a 50% divorce rate. You gotta ask.

I’m a positive person. I prefer to think about what I want, not what I don’t want in my life. And yet such a limited approach can leave you at the mercy of those things you don’t want in your life.

Accidents happen. People change their minds. It’s important that you think about and consider the what-ifs. Then make provisional plans to protect yourself and your family.

Make A Plan B

Like what kind of plans? Step one is Keep a Cash Stash. In case your credit cards are unavailable, you need cash to manage a major life change. The cash must be accessible — you must be able to get your hands on it when you need it most.

Regularly add to a Personal Financial Security savings account. Such an account is often referred to as an “rainy day” or “emergency” fund, but — here I go again — I dislike the feeling of preparing for what I don’t want. A Financial Security account describes what the money is for and works for me.

You might open a new brokerage account with your favorite investment services provider and start a Financial Security equity fund. Or a Keep-Me-In-the-Manner-I’ve-Become-Accustomed bond fund.

Purchase life insurance where you are the beneficiary for anyone on whose support you depend. Key man insurance policies are standard in many corporations. You may want to have the equivalent. Insure the person or persons who are most important to your life running smoothly. It costs to grieve and takes time to replace their contributions to your life.

What other safety valves should be put in place to protect you? What do you wish you had known before you went through a big transition? Share your experiences with us here.

Start working on creating your Plan B today.

Peace and prosperity,

P.S. Subscribe to my new Financial Fitness eZine. Get the latest money tips, news and expert interviews. Simply click here and enter your name and email in the form. Thanks!

P.P.S. Click “Follow me” on the right to follow me on Twitter.

Get Rich Slowly is one of my favorite personal finance blogs. I like the way JD Roth (the admin) thinks and analyzes his financial behavior. I also like how he writes about money and finance. It takes considerable writing skill to make personal finance articles interesting and keep your audience entertained enough to read it. JD does a very good job.

As we prepare for the money management portion of the Money Attraction Bootcamp, I’ve asked my group to read this blog post. Discretionary spending bits and pieces. I’ve encouraged them to get their feet wet, and assured them that the water isn’t cold. We’ll discuss opinions and views in the Financial Fitness Academy’s new membership forum. Bootcamp members never disappoint. It should be great fun.

See how JD analyzes his 2009 restaurant spending. This is a good model of how to analyze and control your financial behavior too. See how he proactively asks IF this is the way he wants to spend his money? Look at the techniques he uses not to spend impulsively. See how he rewards himself for sticking to his spending plans. There is a lot of substance in this blog entry.

I hope you find Get Rich Slowly as interesting and informative as I do.

Judith
The Money Lady

PS  If you haven’t already done so, subscribe to my new Financial Fitness eZine. Simply click and enter your name and email in the form. Thanks!

Befriend money. Like you friend new people on Facebook and other social networking venues. Consciously welcome money into your life, world and affairs.

Think of money as an energy system with feelings. We need to respect its feelings. Invite your money to sit down, have a cup of tea and talk to you. Let your money share what is on its agenda for you. Tell your money about your hopes and dreams.

Discuss your vision of what is for your highest good in terms of how you want to live your life. Paint pictures of your goals. Think bigger. Help money see what you plan to do with it. Invite more money into your life in order to realize your plans and goals.

Share how you are respecting the flow of money. You are no longer casual with money, and you know that money won’t be casual with you. It shows up on time in time. Just like you do.

No longer are you driven by the desire or impulse to get rid of money as soon as you receive it. You no longer spend merely for the sake of spending. You found better forms of entertainment. You’ve discovered the beauty of building your savings and investment accounts. You endorse the act of saving now for future investment. You invest now for future comfort and a higher quality of living as you get older. You deserve the money you have, you attract abundantly and allow it to stay with you.

Your relationship with money is harmonious and enjoyable because at last you decided to make money your friend. What a great shift in your mindset. You let go of the stress of feeling unworthy, undeserving, and not having enough.

Yes, there is plenty of money! Yay!

On my Facebook page yesterday I posted: “I give myself permission to prosper.” Join me.

One of the reasons I like Facebook is because it’s responsive. People weigh in with their thoughts and opinions, which I value. I want to hear what my friends and fans think and feel. So I solicit their comments.

Several people said they would give themselves permission to prosper in 2010. My friend, llenar asked, why wait? Great question which gives me the space to explain a few of the benefits of participating in my Money Attraction Secrets Bootcamp.

Why Wait Until 2010?

Some people wait because s/he doesn’t know how or where to start. They want to learn the steps and receive specific direction in order to take focused action. Others wait because they desire to be part of a group-learning process. Group learning is an easier, more enjoyable and better learning model than individual coaching.

I’m teaching the steps to achieving prosperity, money attraction, and money management in my 8-week Money Attraction Secrets Bootcamp. It starts on Jan 5, 2010 at 8pm Eastern.

Prosperity is about love, success, time, joy, comfort, beauty, confidence, money and wisdom. It’s also about believing that you are worthy of having a better life. The Money Attraction Secrets Bootcamp is an opportunity to enhance your thinking around money as you prepare your 2010 Prosperity Plan!

Click to find out more and sign up for the Money Attraction Secrets Bootcamp.

Spiritual Tools

Here’s what is covered in 8-week Bootcamp. You’ll learn to use spiritual tools to jump start and keep your money flow energetic. You’ll enter a world and mindset of abundance, which is your birthright.

Money Management Skills

You’ll also discover the business skills you need to manage and grow your money effectively. You’ll design workable spending plans, estimate and balance your expenses, plan your purchases, develop a habit of saving to invest, and gain confidence using online money management and investment tools.

Your interaction with your money will be enjoyable for you’ve made money your friend. You know that you deserve the money you have, and you attract prosperity and permit it to stay with you.

Financial Fitness Academy

The Financial Fitness Academy community-building aspects of the Bootcamp are major. It’s a membership forum where you’ll mastermind and joint venture with others on the fast track to Financial Fitness. It’s where you brainstorm ideas, get support, and practice spiritual and business techniques in a secure, can’t-lose-money environment.

Give Yourself Permission to Prosper

You are worthy of having and enjoying money. Give yourself permission to prosper in 2010. You will attract more money participating in the Bootcamp than you will working alone. What are you waiting for? Sign up today. Join me!

Let me know what you think about giving yourself permission to prosper. Share your thoughts.

Peace and prosperity,

Judith Stephens, MBA
The Money Lady

PS.  Please share this with your friends and business associates. Invite them to join you in the Bootcamp.

What do you want? This is a question we don’t ask ourselves often enough. It’s a question for which we often don’t have answers. But it’s a lovely question because it motivates us to think of the possibilities. It encourages us to imagine and to dream.

What do you want in your life that you don’t have now? What would you like to add to your life in the next 3, 6 or 12 months?

What changes do you want to see in your personal and business life? What new experiences will you allow yourself? What people will you invite into your personal and professional spaces? What do you want to learn?

As we move toward 2010, remember that you can have as much of, and as big as, you can see. What will you choose?

For instance, where will you live? What geographical area? What city? What setting — urban, suburban or rural? House, condo or apartment?

What about your work? Where will you work? Will you prepare for a job change? Will you aim for a major promotion on your current job?

If you’re a business owner, will you commit to growing your business by 20% in 2010? How about a 30% increase in revenue? How will you do it?

Will you outsource more of the non-income producing tasks that currently take up your time? Will you hire a virtual assistant? Will you become involved in more joint ventures? Will you attend more industry conferences and meetings to meet other people in similar work?

As you contemplate what you want, I hope you will remember to play. Look for new opportunities to have fun, to love, and to enjoy your life.

Let’s welcome 2010 with a full, yet light heart.

Peace and prosperity to you,
Judith

What’s your plan for 2010? Do you have a plan for growing your business? What about a plan to grow your life?

When I worked in corporate America, we started the annual planning process for the new year in September or October. Planning involved every layer of the corporation. We forecasted sales by product line, and included evaluating all aspects of the business — staff size, operating expenses and projected profits. Planning forces you to think specifically about your business’ future.

What’s your plan?

As we end 2009, take the next few weeks to think through your strategy for 2010. Start by thinking about what you want.

If you want to increase your 2010 income by 15% over 2009, what do you need to do to achieve it? Will you sell more of your products/services at the same prices? Will you raise your prices? Will you Introduce new products at higher price points, or decrease your overhead by reducing the number of employees on your payroll? Will you outsource more administrative tasks?

Here’s the benefit: The planning process strengthens you and your business. It provide you with a mental agility that only comes from thinking through your options.

Would you like to learn more about developing your 2010 business/life plan? Join me at my free Money Attraction Secrets! Discover How to Use Spiritual & Business Tools to Attract & Manage Your Money teleseminar on Tuesday, December 8, 2009. Register today at http://themoneyladyteleseminars.com

Inviting more money into your life isn’t woo woo. Money attraction is about incorporating proven spiritual principles and sound business practices into your planning process.

To Your Financial Success!

Judith

Money! There, I said it. I’m on a mission to get you talking about money. Talking and learning more about it. Learning about having more of it, saving and investing it. Money is a lever you can use to influence outcomes that are important to you. 

Join Me on Tuesday

On Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 4pm Pacific I’m hosting a free teleseminar about money. I invite you to join me for Money Attraction Secrets! Discover How to Use Spiritual & Business Tools to Attract & Manage Your  Money. You can register now at http://themoneyladyteleseminars.com.

     As you plan and prepare for 2010, it’s important to know that you can choose beliefs and actions that will move you to where you want to go. I’ll talk about planning achievable Income Goals for 2010 during the teleseminar.

How you think about money greatly determines how much money you have. And how you feel about money influences how well you manage it. Is money your friend or foe? Your money beliefs determine how much money you have. Are you ready to earn more, build a bigger business, and become part of an Financial Fitness network?

I’ll share spiritual tools and critical mindset shifts you can use to attract more money into your life now. I’ll discuss two habits you can quickly adopt that will propel you to higher earnings. As you attract more, there are three steps you can take to strengthen your money management skills.

Join me on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 4pm Pacific time for this informative teleseminar. This Event is for You if You’re Ready to Create a Foundation for Financial Fitness. Register now to get the Call-in information for the teleseminar. http://themoneyladyteleseminars.com.

Love and prosperity,

Judith Stephens, MBA
The Money Lady

P.S. Invite your friends, fans and associates to join you on this call. Remember to reserve your spot first at http://themoneyladyteleseminars.com.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Judith Stephens, MBA, The Money Lady, is a Money Management Strategist and Business Mentor. A former corporate and small business executive, current independent business owner, investor, and fundraiser, Judith combines spiritual, analytical and management tools with a great sense of humor to help people learn to attract, invest and manage their money.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Do you think being a long-term customer is a good thing? Do you think you’re rewarded for that loyalty? But… are you?

How have you been rewarded for staying with your cell phone carrier for 8 years? Or the phone company you’ve had an account with since before the AT&T breakup? Do they value your business? Have they shown you that they do?

Or have you been penalized for staying with your phone, banking or insurance company? Are you paying the same rates you paid when you signed up? Where are the technology gains and other benefits that should show up in the price you now pay?

Many companies penalize long-term customers by keeping them at the same rate as when they initially signed up. When that’s the case, you never receive the lower price that new customers get. You do not realize the gains that have occurred since you purchased the service. Perks and savings go to new customers unless you, the longer-term customer, ask for comparable treatment. So ask!

Negotiate Your Phone Costs Annually

You can negotiate everything. All it takes to get a price reduction is a willingness to ask for it. Don’t passively renew your expensive cell phone contract. Before it expires, call the Customer Retention department and ask for a better price and/or terms. You want more service for the same or less cost. For example, you want text messages included in the monthly rate without an extra per message charge. You want to add a family member to your account at no additional charge. Are they giving free or discounted phones with new service. Your goal is to get more features for less expense.

Your phone number belongs to you. You can keep the same number regardless of the carrier you use. This frees you to shop for a better deal — one similar to the advertised new account specials. New customers are offered better rates than existing customers. They benefit from the technological and other efficiencies that are passed on to them. If you don’t ask for a rate decrease, you won’t get these benefits.

Frugal is the New Cool

I negotiate my cell phone contract every renewal cycle. I ask more frequently if there is an advertising campaign that motivates me to call now.

My friend, Katherine called her cable company and asked for a better package. She mentioned she’s been a loyal customer for 9 years. Her cable company responded with a pricing package that saved her $50/month! That’s $600 in annual savings simply because she asked. Definitely worth the time it took to make the call.

Evaluate Your long-term Customer Relationships

How long have you been a customer of your current phone, cable and insurance companies? Isn’t it time you asked for a better deal? Look at your customer relationships and see which ones you should contact for price decreases.

Start your research by calling your existing company. Ask what new phone service would cost monthly? Ask if they have any special programs for which you quality. Ask what other perks they offer. Ask what more might you receive for becoming a customer. When you consider how much you’re going to pay the company over the life of your contract, it’s fine to push. Say you’re shopping around for the best rates. Ask to be sold.

The new price quotes become the basis for comparison of your existing costs. Use the new quotes to then negotiate a price decrease of your existing service. If your company won’t give you a significant price decrease … you now know it’s time to make a change. Then do it.

Let me know how this works for you. Thanks!

Warmly,

Judith, The Money Lady