by Stacy Francis, CFP®, CDFA
The book “Unwinding the Clock. Ten Thoughts on Our Relationship to Time” sat on my bedside table for months after a friend gave it to me. This past weekend, I finally got around to reading it – and I liked it much more than I thought I would! My favorite chapter dealt with a feeling most people will recognize: not having enough time. Author Bodil Jonsson turns this around and points out that in a way, time is all we have. Time is a wonderful gift, enabling us to start families, build careers, have hobbies, learn new things, and travel the world. Instead of panicking about running out of time, why not tell ourselves that we have all the time in the world? After all, it is no less true.
The same approach can revolutionize your relationship to money. If you stress about the money in your account not being enough to fulfill all your financial obligations and desires, try turning this negative thought process around, instead viewing each dollar as an opportunity to get closer to your personal and financial goals. Rather than worrying about the financial milestones you will fail to meet, imagine how the twenty-dollar bill in your wallet could buy you a better lifestyle in your golden years, part of a college education for your child or a lavish dinner. This simple change of perspective won’t cost you a dime, and you’ll have a lot more fun securing your financial goals.
