Poor Man Survival
Self Reliance
tools for independent minded people…
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Digest of Urban Survival Resources
According to an article on
History.com:
"The ancient Babylonians are said to have been the first people to make New Year's resolutions, some 4,000 years ago. They were also the first to hold recorded celebrations in honor of the new year. However, for them, the year began not in January but in mid-March, when the crops were planted. During a massive 12-day religious festival known as Akitu, the Babylonians crowned a new king or reaffirmed their loyalty to the reigning king. They also made promises to the gods to pay their debts and return any objects they had borrowed."
The fact that even 4,000 years ago people felt the need to make resolutions and pay debts is interesting to me. I take it to mean that self-improvement is part of our make-up and we desire to be debt free.
People seem to be in two camps when it comes to resolutions. For some, making New Year's resolutions is important. It's something that they take seriously. They make a plan and do their best to execute it successfully.
Others (and I'm in this camp) look at life as a continual process of self-improvement. When we want to change something, we plan on making the change as soon as we can. We see no reason to wait until the calendar changes to start.
"The ancient Babylonians are said to have been the first people to make New Year's resolutions, some 4,000 years ago. They were also the first to hold recorded celebrations in honor of the new year. However, for them, the year began not in January but in mid-March, when the crops were planted. During a massive 12-day religious festival known as Akitu, the Babylonians crowned a new king or reaffirmed their loyalty to the reigning king. They also made promises to the gods to pay their debts and return any objects they had borrowed."
The fact that even 4,000 years ago people felt the need to make resolutions and pay debts is interesting to me. I take it to mean that self-improvement is part of our make-up and we desire to be debt free.
People seem to be in two camps when it comes to resolutions. For some, making New Year's resolutions is important. It's something that they take seriously. They make a plan and do their best to execute it successfully.
Others (and I'm in this camp) look at life as a continual process of self-improvement. When we want to change something, we plan on making the change as soon as we can. We see no reason to wait until the calendar changes to start.
Got 2017 Goals? Here's How to
Achieve Them…
By Toni Turner, President, TrendStar Group
Now, we’re in the nascency of a brand-new year, one that holds
lots of promise. And with a little preparation, we can all be happier,
healthier and more prosperous by this time next year.
“Oh-h-h,
no you don’t, Toni,” you might be muttering under your breath. “Don’t start on
me about New Year’s resolutions that we all know will be history by February
1st.”
I hear you. I used to feel the
way you do. But a few years ago, I discovered why I never seemed to be
able to follow through with my resolutions.
And I
learned a few simple steps that I’ve adopted since, and that has made all the
difference. Now, I look forward to new taking on new resolutions that will,
once accomplished, make my life and those around me more successful and
fulfilling. And to me, that’s what life is all about.
Get
Specific
As the
new year begins, many well-meaning people tell themselves that they’ll strive
to “be healthier this year,” or “lose a few pounds,” or “make more money in the
market.” Before long, those good intentions dissolve into life’s busyness.
In the
same way your GPS can help you only if you tell it exactly where you want to
go, your brain can direct you toward your goals only when you give it specific
input.
For
example, what if you gave your GPS instructions like, “Heck, I don’t know,
well, let’s head out West.” You’ll end up getting vague answers and going
nowhere.
In the same way, you have to tell your brain what you want to
do, why you want to do it, and when you intend to reach that objective.
Nature
programmed your brain so that when you feed it specific visions and goals as to
what you want to achieve, the miraculous three pounds of “grey matter” atop
your head will immediately start looking for ways to make those expectations
happen.
My friend and colleague Diane Alexander, who is a neuroscience
specialist, is a firm believer in setting goals. She says, “When you tell your
brain precisely what you want to achieve, then write it down and refer to it
often, you have a great chance of reaching that objective.”
Take Pen to Paper and Get SMART
Below is an effective technique that you can use to establish
and achieve your goals for 2017.
But before we get into that discussion, please know this: In
order to be successful, you need to take the time to write down your goals.
Don’t just hold them loosely in your mind.
Research shows that 80% of those who write down their goals and
refer to them on a consistent basis go on to achieve those goals. Those who
hold their goals as vague generalities in their minds rarely ever reach them.
To further help you develop your list of resolutions and goals
for 2017, here’s the popular SMART goal-setting technique.
S: Specific – State
on paper exactly what you want to achieve. Example: “I intend to lose 10 lbs.”
Or, “I intend to earn at least 10% capital gains this year in my IRA.”
M: Measurable: How
much time, effort and capital will it take to achieve it? Example: “I will
decrease calorie intake by 200 calories a day and walk two miles, three
mornings a week.” Or, “I will spend 30 minutes a day reading financial journals
and take online classes to upgrade my financial knowledge.”
A: Attainable: Your goal
must be achievable within the framework of your lifestyle. Example: “To lower
my calorie intake, I will no longer drink sodas and I will avoid eating sugar.
I have the desire and willpower to do this.” Or, “Ten-percent
capital growth is relatively modest, and while I realize that profit-goals in
the stock market are not a sure thing, this gives me a number to ‘shoot’ for.
Plus, I
will write 30-minute time-slot in my planner so that I do not skip my reading
and study time.”
R: Realistic: Is the goal
worthwhile and realistic? Example: “My health will improve with the absence of
sugar and with my new walking regime and I am dedicated to making these dietary
changes.”
Or, “Investing in myself and my future is one of the most
important goals I can fulfill. If I can increase my earning power in my IRA, I
can pay off our home before I retire. That will assure my retirement years are
more stress-free and enjoyable.”
T: Time-Bound: Create a
time-line for the completion of your goal. Example. “I intend to lose ten
pounds by February 15th.” Or, “I will strive to average a two to
three-percent capital gain per quarter. With firm risk management (and if the
market cooperates), I should be able to reach my 12% objective by the close of
2017.”
If you’d like to make this an exciting new year, take some time
right now to invest in yourself: Grab a notebook, go to a quiet place and start
developing your goals.
And
here’s the fun part: At this time next year, as you look back at what you’ve
accomplished in 2017, you will feel the incredible sense of satisfaction of
knowing that instead of being “history by February first,” you’ve made valuable
new changes in your life.
Until
next time,
keep
green on your screen!
Toni
Turner
Toni Turner is the President of
TrendStar Group, LLC, is an accomplished technical analyst as well as a popular
educator and sought-after speaker in the financial arena.
Yours for better living,
Bruce , the Poor Man
A Final Note…
You Have a
16-Cylinder Brain-Learn How to Use It and Reawaken the Genius Inside You!
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Additional
Resources
The Anatomy of a Breakdown
The Prepper’s Blueprint: The Step-By-Step Guide To Help You Through Any Disaster
Prepper’s Home Defense: Security Strategies to Protect Your Family by Any Means Necessary
Contact! A Tactical Manual for Post Collapse Survival
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2 comments:
I never set any goals-that way I never set myself up for disappointment!
I set simple goals because in the past it seems I always set myself up for failure but setting goals which were too lofty or unrealistic [never was able to achieve taking over any 3rd world countries!]
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