Manage yourself to better manage your money

One thing we need to recognise is that getting control of our money requires constant attention and discipline. It is easier than you think – if you have the right tools and you stick to the rules.

Imagine a life where you do not need to worry about money. A life where you can have everything that your family “needs” and be in control of your finances. This is everybody’s dream.

In general, people give very little thought to their long-term goals. By not thinking ahead, you
are likely to misplace your priorities & just strive to survive from month to month.

If you manage your money wisely you can build wealth, even if you don’t earn a huge income.
It’s not so much about how much money you make; it’s what you do with what you make.

Boost your self-esteem
• Surround yourself with positive people who encourage you.
Tell your family and friends that you are going on a mission to save money and to get your money into shape. The people who care about you will encourage you to get ahead.

• Do not take criticism personally
Don’t take criticism at face value. If the feedback seems right, use it, if it’s not, forget about it and continue to believe in yourself.

• Always give your best.
The best way to feel good about your abilities is to succeed at them. This means working hard to achieve your goals and keep learning despite setbacks.

• Control what you say to yourself. Keep your self-talk positive.
Do not say things like “I am a total failure” or “No one will like me unless I am successful”. Keep your self-talk positive, always moving you towards what you want rather than away from what you don’t want.

• Stop comparing yourself to others.
The constant quest to "keep up with the Joneses" is just going to cost you money you don’t have. Rather work on being happy and satisfied with what you have while you are pursuing your other goals.

Understand the cost of image
Those of us addicted to the image culture are throwing away thousands each year as we cannot afford to pay for these luxury items in cash, so the ‘image slaves’ are in fact taking on more debt just to afford their image.

source:blog.standardbank.com