Episode Overview
In this episode, I explore the art of quarterly financial planning as we approach the start of a new quarter in 2025. Whether you've never created a financial plan before, have ambitious money goals gathering dust, or have had to pivot due to unexpected circumstances, this episode offers practical guidance on creating a financial roadmap that actually works.
Key Highlights
Why Most Financial Plans Fail
- Living by default rather than design - executing other people's priorities
- Spending too much time responding to others' needs versus pursuing personal financial goals
- Getting caught in the "urgency trap" and constantly firefighting
- True financial wealth is created when focusing on important but non-urgent tasks
The Eisenhower Time Matrix for Financial Planning
- Four quadrants based on urgency and importance
- Most people spend their days trapped in urgent quadrants (important and unimportant)
- Financial growth happens in the "important but not urgent" quadrant, including:
- Regular review of spending patterns
- Learning about investing
- Building strategic relationships
- Developing new income streams or offers
- The value of regular money dates: 20 minutes a week on one financial area
Making Financial Goals Motivating
- Don't just set empty money targets (e.g., "make £10,000")
- Connect financial goals to deeper meaning and purpose
- Ask: "What will this allow me to experience? How will my life change?"
- Identify the feeling you're seeking: security, freedom, peace, expansion
- Research shows we're more motivated by purpose than numbers
The Danger of Over-Planning
- Setting too many financial goals leads to overwhelm and failure
- The fear of spaciousness: filling calendars because emptiness feels unsafe
- Follow the "one-three-five" rule:
- One major financial goal
- Three supporting goals
- Five routine habits to maintain progress
- Quality over quantity applies to financial goals
- Over-planning often stems from scarcity thinking
Planning According to Seasons
- Different quarters require different approaches to financial planning
- Aligning financial activities with natural energy cycles:
- Spring: Planting new seeds, starting projects, learning money skills
- Summer: Execution and expansion (with family time consideration)
- Autumn: Harvesting, reviewing, optimising systems and expenses
- Winter: Resting, reflecting, preparing for next year's growth
- Consider personal cycles: menstrual cycles, numerology cycles, energy patterns
- The importance of recognising which season you're in with your financial journey
Final Thought
Financial success comes from intentional planning aligned with values and natural energy cycles. Start with the next 90 days rather than trying to plan the entire year at once and allow flexibility for changes and adjustments along the way.
Chapters
00:00 Embracing New Beginnings: Financial Planning for the Quarter Ahead
02:45 Identifying Personal Financial Goals: Beyond the Numbers
06:03 The Eisenhower Matrix: Prioritizing Financial Tasks
08:55 Transforming Planning into a Joyful Experience
12:14 Avoiding Over-Planning: The Power of Focus
15:02 Understanding Seasonal Financial Planning
17:54 Creating a Flexible Financial Framework
20:46 Conclusion: Intentional Planning for Financial Success
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