For many people dealing with money and finance, it is like the monster under the bed for them. It can be confusing and stressful when dealing with personal finances, especially if you’re a beginner.
It can also be disappointing when you realise you’re spending more than you’re earning, or that your plans to buy a new phone are being hindered because you’re finding it difficult to save.
Before this, check out the first two parts of this Self confidence & Independence series – I go through different areas of your life though this series, so going through all 3 posts will be worth the read 😀
Self confidence & Independence: the foundations of success PART 1
Self confidence & Independence: the foundations of success PART 2
On top of that, it can be extremely nerve-wracking when you start a new project that not many of your peers have experienced. For example, you may want to open a new restaurant but don’t have enough people around you who have knowledge on opening a restaurant successfully.
You literally have to dig out your own path and work by yourself.
In order to reduce these types of feelings, the best thing to do is to work on your self-confidence. Simply put, if you believe in yourself and are willing to put the work in, you can do anything.
In this last post of the ‘Self confidence & Independence: the foundations of success,’ series, you will learn how to deal with your finances and life goals confidently.
FINANCES
1.Keep track of your expenses:
If tracking finances makes you anxious and you’re just starting off, I suggest for you to look through your bank account for the last 2 months and track what you’ve spent.
Make a list of both major and minor expenses: include your rent, card payments, food and transportation, entertainment and anything else you pay for.
After doing this, one thing at least will be made apparent to you – if you’re overspending. Make a note of things you’re spending too much on and either set a certain goal or just be mindful the next time you spend money on these things.
But, if this task seems quite long for you and you’d prefer for it to just be over and done with, why not install an app that will organise your finances for you and tell you how much you’re spending a month?
There are so many finance tracking apps today, and it can be a quick way to stay ahead of your expenses.
All in all, tracking your finances will increase your self-confidence; it makes you feel more organised, independent and in control of yourself.
2. Make a budget
Now that you know where your money is coming from and going to, you can set a budget.
For those of you wanting to save money:
First, create a realistic monthly budget that you think you can follow. To do this, look at what you spend on and think about the areas where you can spend less money.
If possible, set a certain amount of money that you will spend on each of your priorities and try not to exceed it.
If you have an app to track your finances, check if they have a feature to help you budget.
Related:
Self confidence & Independence: the foundations of success PART 2
Best Books To Read To Increase Your Knowledge About The World!
8 Realistic Tips to Make Your Morning Routine Immediately Better
3. Learn how to invest your money
Before learning how to invest money I would suggest for you to learn how to track your finances first and make a budget. This is because doing these things are basic tasks that you should do to be more financially secure.
Investing your money is best to do after you are financially secure as you have the room to try things out and see whether they work or not. You may want to start a business, or invest in a property – all in all, these things take time to save up for and you need to make sure you are financially secure before you do that.
And for you low budgeters out there, it might be shocking but you can invest too.
You can invest in yourself.
If you feel like that’s a let down, think again. Investing in yourself is perhaps the best place to invest in. Invest in courses, books and activities that will enrich you and make you more confident in your abilities.
4. Find alternative ways of making money
I’ve written a post called ‘What Successful People Do To Get Rich and Stay Rich,’ in which I go through the habits of financially successful people. Have a read to make the most out of your personal finance journey!
I’ve also found some great posts on Pinterest with many creative business related ideas you could make quite a good amount of money from.
Follow The Bengal Tiger on Pinterest – thebengaltigerr 🙂
This is a great way to boost your self-confidence; you gain a real sense of responsibility, independence and pride at making your own money.
Thanks to the internet and social media as well, nowadays there are so many platforms and places you can make money on.
You can promote your services through a freelancing website; or, you can start a bakery business on Instagram.
The best way to make money is to utilise what you already have; use the free services around you to your advantage.
Achieving Dreams & Goals
1.Find motivation/ inspiration
Throughout these posts, you may have noticed that I keep on telling you to focus on your dreams and goals and do your best to achieve them.
But some of you may be sitting there, thinking ‘but I don’t know what my dream is…’
And that’s totally okay. Even if you didn’t realise your dreams when you were younger, you may realise what it is later.
Think about your passions and interests – is there anything you would love to pursue or wouldn’t mind pursuing?
What do you want your future to look like?
What are the limiting beliefs you have that are holding you back?
Do you actually have something that you want to do, but you think you won’t be able to do it?
Think about these types of questions; if you question your capability in completing your dream, I want you to think about your answer from an objective point of view.
For example, if you believe that you will never be able to become a graphic designer but really want to become one; think about the attributes you would need to become a graphic designer and then go out and start working on your skills!
2. Break your dreams/ goals/ ambitions down into steps
The best way to get over that limiting belief that you are not good enough is to better your confidence. And to better your confidence, you must have an organised plan that will lead you to success.
Check out this 5 minute productivity hack. In it is a very, very simple method that will push you to get off your couch and get started on your work. It’s a very quick read, you can have a look here.
Break down your plans into realistic steps and goals that you will be able to achieve. Doing this will make your plan less overwhelming and daunting and seem more doable.
I also want to say if you don’t have just ‘one dream,’ but have many things you are interested in – WORK ON THEM. It doesn’t matter if you don’t think it is your dream; it may become it later on.
Also, what do you have to lose?
3. Have a schedule
One of the best ways to ensure a productive day of following your schedule successfully is to have a good morning routine. I’ve seen many morning routines both on youtube and written in blogs which, frankly, many people won’t be bothered to do.
So, – yes you’ve guessed it – I’ve got some realistic steps you can include in your morning routine right here!
Irrespective of your dreams and goals, it is great to have a schedule anyway. Having a schedule will push you to complete your tasks.
This sense of accomplishment (of completing your tasks) will boost your confidence and will make you feel ready to complete more tasks.
When making your schedule, fit in your priorities first – this can be work-related tasks, things you need to complete for a personal project or housework.
But don’t forget to schedule in your hobbies and seeing your friends – it’s important to have a balance for your mental health and wellbeing.
4. Be yourself
This is a very cliché thing to say, I know, but it is extremely important. In a world where social media shows what the ‘ideal’ body or what the ‘ideal’ beauty standard is, it is hard to remember that your looks are equally beautiful.
Embrace your features and your body; most importantly, be content with who you are. Confidence comes when you are secure with yourself.
If you feel like you’re not comfortable in your skin or you’re not confident in yourself, you should read ‘The Ultimate ‘Mind Glow-up’ Series (Part 1) – SELF LOVE.’ This gives you the advice to better your mind set.
The Ultimate ‘Mind Glow-up’ Series (Part 2) – SELF DEVELOPMENT is for those of you who have reached that understanding that you have the potential to do anything if you put your mind to it, and now want to find ways to build upon yourself.
If a 9-5 job isn’t something you want and you would rather be your own boss, believe in your abilities and work towards it. As long as it fits with your morals and doesn’t hurt anyone, do your best to do what you want.
Be yourself and believe in yourself, and you will flourish.
5. Know when to ask for help
As an independent, confident and secure person, you shouldn’t need to ask for anyone’s help, right? Wrong.
No matter how confident or independent you are, you will never know everything. There’s still room to learn and grow.
Also, if you have loads of things you need to complete but you really just don’t have the time, ask for help.
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness; in fact, it’s a sign of strength. Speaking to other’s for advice, support or for knowledge is the best way to grow.
6. Try to remain calm when there’s a problem
This is easier said than done, I understand, and it may take you many times of panicking to finally learn how to deal with it effectively.
Check out this post where you will be given a step-by-step approach to dealing with stress.
I’m not promising that you will be able to eliminate the feeling of panic and worry after reading the above post, but what I show you will help you become more prepared when dealing with stress and also, teach you how to deal with it with a calm mind.
Panicking is one of the worst things to do when something problematic happens. Instead of making you more alert and ready to take on the task, it fogs your mind and messes up your thought process.
Each time you panic or get stressed over something, focus on your breathing and try to calm yourself down. Once you do this, you can start thinking through the problem and find suitable solutions to rectify it.
Learning how to be calm when there’s a problem will serve to better your self-confidence as well because, you’ll be able to rely on yourself.
7. Act like your confident
When all else fails, act like your confident. Confidence can get you through anything, trust me. I’ve heard stories of 16 year olds getting managerial jobs and people without the right qualifications getting $80k a year in professional jobs.
While I’m not encouraging you to do the same (as in, fake being a doctor when you don’t have a single qualification for being a doctor), I want you to understand their thought process.
They have that much confidence in themselves that they were able to achieve things that people older than them and with more qualifications might not have even been able to do.
The best way to gain confidence is to put yourself in situations where you are forced to act confident. In some way or another, that fake confidence actually rubs off on you and it starts to be a part of you.
8. Be on the hunt for new opportunities
In order to gain confidence, you need to constantly be involved in opportunities that will help you grow your skills.
Actively search for things to do that will strengthen your weaknesses.
If there’s something that you’re interested which you would like to pursue but you don’t have the full skill set for it, go out and get those skills for yourself.
Have confidence in yourself that you can do anything that you put your mind on, and start working on yourself with this mindset.
Having self-confidence will ultimately lead to independence. You will begin to trust yourself and realise that you only really need yourself to depend on.
I hope through these 3 posts, you’ve learnt something new that you will try to implement in your life. You can just start off with one thing and work from there.
Also, give a comment down below if there is anything specific you’d like to read about!
