I recently began my journey onto Twitter earlier this month and it’s been great to discover many people around the country who are doing really interesting things in their own business – and, as importantly, for their clients.  Grass roots efforts to help educate, refer, and stimulate new ideas abound!  I’m still figuring out many of the tricks to sharing a meaningful message in 140 characters or less, but a good part for newbies like me is that there is easy access to a short profile about each user that usually contains a web site or Google bio link that provides additional details about the founders and their missions.  If you want to see some of these businesses for yourself, feel free to do so by clicking on our Twitter button and follow along with Changing Times Planning.  I think you’ll find some interesting information and connections!

One of my LinkedIn connections shared a wonderful reminder today by Stephen R. Covey:

“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”

Maybe we feel compelled to have immediate answers to appear decisive, or avoid uncertainty, or save time, or some other reason that varies with the situation.  But are we really doing justice to ourselves and our relationships if we’re often not really answering the true question being raised – or ignoring the idea that perhaps there are multiple answers that need to be tested and considered?  It’s not easy to slow down, take a breath, and get comfortable with uncertainty or the fact we really do have options in life…the conscious choice path.  The rewards of doing just this, however, are great and greatly beyond our usual daily imagination.  So maybe we can all experience some magic by understanding more with deeper listening?

OK, it’s been a cold, snowy, icy, ‘pita’ kind of winter here and the shortened daylight is taking a toll too.  Even my animals appear to be having cabin fever and are blatantly annoying each other from time to time.  So, how to give yourself a break from of the temporary blah’s?  Well, I finally picked up the phone and called one of my out-of-state friends and coordinated a time for visiting later this year.  I still have to make travel arrangements and all, but I already feel a lot better knowing there’s something different waiting for me with our visit.  And I now also have a fun goal of setting aside the funds bit by bit to cover the travel costs so I won’t have to stress out about extra debt after the trip.  So, how will you break out of cabin fever?

Last week’s post reflected on consciously choosing a new idea to focus on for 2014.  My personal choice has been to further expand financial planning outreach in the unique form of Changing Times Planning so that financial education, savvy, and confidence for all of us can growth significantly during this year.  These rewards have no direct relation to the amount of assets a person has, or how much income they make in a year, or even what you think your math skills are – or are not.  Believe me, if you handle your family’s budget, go shopping for groceries and necessities, comparison shop for good deals on purchases, and understand having to choose between which product or service gets your money, then you have more than enough “math skills” to venture into the world of financial planning.  You just need to find those professionals who can speak in straightforward manner and not hide behind unnecessary technical garble.  In fact, a great deal of what CFPs really strive to do is to communicate in-depth with clients – whether sharing education, listening to needs, figuring out practical ways to help make changes, and using various tools to provide a greater level of security and flexibility in very transitional times.  Join me in taking the plunge to reclaim your financial competence and confidence this year – you’re very capable so go for it!