Every once in a while I need to remind myself to “Do the Next Right Thing”. A simple statement but very powerful; it serves to refocus my attention and reprioritize. Everyone should use a similar tactic themselves.
Usually it has a calming effect because I know that if I slow down and just follow my own simple advice that I’ll be able to make the right decision, take the right action, head in the right direction.
However when I read the paper today, the coverage of the personal side of the white house transition was front and center. Fine on most days, but the coverage of the Stock Market dropping almost 500 POINTS minimized to the point that you had to really look for it.
2 days, in a row, with nearly 500 POINT losses! I’m not for dwelling on negative things, but that is worth reporting! In about one month we have become so complacent about the state of the economy that this type of thing is NORMAL?!?! An afterthought.
Don’t get angry, “Do the Next Right Thing”, I said to nobody in particular, since my wife leaves just before the ranting starts. (She can predict them like a seasoned weatherman).
Didn’t work, I was so focused on why we needed to know more about what color the drapes were going to be, which schools the young Obamas would attend and, topping the list, what puppy would become the first dog!
HOLY #@%*! We’ve got economic issues in this country that we haven’t seen since Reagan inherited a crumbling economy or, probably more accurate, since FDR took over a mess that came to be called by a very depressing name. These are serious times….just ask the 200,000 newly unemployed people this month!
So, I tried it again….”Do the Next Right Thing”.
Then I threw the newspaper in the trash!
Then I took it out of the trash and put it in the recycling bin. See, it was working; “Do the Next Right Thing”.
Then I sat down and reviewed my own financial plan.
- Have a plan? Check
- Is it written? Check
- Is it working? Half a check
- Any Action Items? No
- Okay, Yes
Now I know what I have to work on (focus) and it is important because it affects my financial security (priority). A good action, top of list, on plan…get to work, Mike.
Do the Next Right Thing – no matter how difficult – and I sleep better at night
Do the Next Right Thing – no matter how mundane – and I stick to my plan
Do the Next Right Thing – no matter how overwhelmed or emotional I am – and I take action
Financially, everyone should Do the Next Right Thing; it is easy to get overwhelmed in the midst of today’s chaos.
- Have a written Plan?
- Have a written Budget?
- Spend Less than you Make?
- Credit Score High?
- Debt ‘controlled’?
- College Costs Managed?
- Savings intact?
- Retirement funds Safe?
- Retirement funds tax free?
- Inheritance plan tax favored?
Surely there is something in there that deserves some action! Not looking at it won’t help – DO is an action word….Do the Next Right Thing.
If you’ve looked at it and there really is not an action item, Congratulations! You probably sleep well at night, and deservedly so. In fact, you probably sleep so well you’re probably asleep right now.
I feel better already; I’m centered again and thinking about the next right things I’ll do today.
And, to be honest, I am a little interested in what kind of dog we’ll have in the first family. Hey, aren’t you curious?
