Opening the Door



The first financial magazine that I ever subscribed to was called "Your Money" and every month, with each new copy, I would devour it from cover to cover. It was from this magazine that I really learned all about the basics of money; how to budget, an overview of credit, and tips about how to begin making money work for me rather than the other way around. I don't believe the magazine is in print any longer but for me it was instrumental in giving me some foundational thinking.

After a while I began reading books, attending classes and seminars, and participating in group discussions about a range of financial matters. For me, a thing that was intended only to give me a little better understanding started me down a road of learning about financial management. 

I eventually even began teaching classes on money management ( Shhh, don't tell my pastor !) and continue to look for opportunities to help others learn about how to better manage their money by being good stewards of what they have.

It came in small steps but ones that have brought me from a place of ignorance to having a pretty good grasp on general financial matters. It doesn't mean that I understand it all, but I know more now than I did then, and that is what is important.

In other words, I learned.

Make Some Time



There are very few things in this world that can impact a person as much as education does. The knowledge that we pick up opens up opportunities and gives us the ability to begin going in new directions in our life. It simultaneously challenge, instructs, and empowers us.

But it does require at least one basic thing:  initiative.  It is by this that we start making time in our lives for things that have a longer term impact. Without it nothing happens.  We don't grow. We don't achieve.  We become stagnant and eventually can even become obsolete.

And while formal education is an obvious route, try seeking out alternatives as well. An easy way to start can just be by reading some books or blogs or take advantage of free seminars in your area. 

The key to growing is making the time. We all have it, we just have to decide to do it.

Who Can Benefit?

The obvious answer is: YOU !

Got kids at home? Eventually the kids grow up and leave. Where do you want to be when that happens?

Landed a great new job?  How far will you advance if you don't learn new skills eventually?

Out of work?  You are more appealing to an employer if you are sharpening your skills and learning new ones.

Need help with handling your finances?  Get control by turning to resources that give out great advice.

There are more benefits to learning than can be contained here, and it doesn't always require a great amount of time or energy, but look to do it regularly.  Even just reading a non-fiction book once every other month on a subject that you are interested in can be a great source of learning for anyone.


Sign Me Up!



As I said earlier, a formal education is great, but try considering some alternatives like these as well:

• Participating in a local group about a subject of mutual interest
  
• Trying out something new even if you know little to nothing about it
  
• Talking with people you know and trying out something that they enjoy
• Looking for areas of competence where you would like to grow and find out more about it
• Reading your local newspaper. There are often community learning and training sections full of ideas 
• Taking a good walk through your library. There are whole sections dedicated to interesting subjects
• Checking out a community learning center. Many have free or inexpensive courses.
  

Chances are, the opportunities won't come to you as much as you will have to seek them out, but the impact can be far reaching. With a small time commitment you can improve you natural skills and talents, gain new insights, learn better management or parenting skills, or make a change to your financial situation.

You decide where you want to see some change.

Some growth.

And then just go for it.

Who knows?  You may end up being the teacher and not the student...... and bring someone else a new idea or two.

Any ideas on where could you be learning right now?