The Manila Times

MONEY TALKS

- CHRISTOPHE­R CERVANTES Christophe­r G. Cervantes is a Registered Financial Planner of RF P Philippine­s. He is author of Financial Planning for the Fast Changing World and The Seed Money. To learn more about per-sonal financial planning attend the 67 th RF P

listening to a very powerful motivation­al speaker inside a huge conference room. Before ending his talk, he throws out this question: “Who wants to become successful?” Everybody’s hand goes up in the air, which leaves you no option but to raise yours as well. After all, who doesn’t want to become We all want to play a major role in whatever industry we’re in. People aiming high will do everything to be granted the highest accolade. Somehow, upon completion and goal attainment, what’s next? Should you lie back and enjoy the rewards or push yourself further and come up with higher aspiration­s?

It’s a prevalent notion that the amount of money you have - ingly true but look at it again. First you have to determine the ultimate intent, equivalent to a numerical target. How much money do you need to consider yourself rich? Some will just answer: “More money!” So if have P1,000 right now and I give you another P1,000, can you say that you’re rich already? Setting goals with no correspond­ing value is like pointing an arrow at a moving target. Success is relative to the quantum of your dreams, not to the size of material possession­s. A well-known management guru once said: “What can’t be measured cannot be managed.”

Now is also the time of the year to change the direction of your - tive, what are you waiting for? 2018 that will modify the tra-jec year thereafter. Review, repeat then revise as you draw closer to the cardinal breakthrou­gh of I “walk the talk” every year, with my wife and I going through have become obsolete or not applicable but since it is still a plan our current goals and prevailing conditions. Ten years back, for example, we planned and calculated our retirement needs. Checking the status of our investment­s will help us determine if yes, then all we need to do is to continue what we’re doing and new ways to achieve the desired investment return.

Knowing how much is required for a goal will give you a sense of satisfacti­on. How much will it take to send your children to college? Just imagine how much of a relief it will be if 18 years from now you won’t be worrying about your child’s tuition. If you calculate what is required to meet your goals, what you come up with is what is needed for you to become successful. Remember that success is relevant to the amount of your dreams, not to the size of your neighbor’s house.

This practice should be employed by all goal-oriented individual­s. But also consider — after making your plans and preparing for their execution — seeking the expertise of an accountant, planner. Don’t forget that 85 percent of our happiness in life comes from happy interactio­ns with other people. The reverse holds true as well: 85 percent of a person’s unhappines­s or prob getting along with others.

and I wish you an unstoppabl­e 2018. Merry Christmas!

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