Bad Money Habits

 Bad Money Habits, Timothy Presley, Independently Published, 2021

To even begin to get control of your finances, your first step is to know where your money is going. Get a piece of paper, or start a spreadsheet, and record everything (even impulse trips to a vending machine). Next, start cutting some of those expenses.

Do you "need" that item that is on sale, or do you "want" it? The next time you go to the mall, leave your credit cards, and your ATM card, at home. This book also talks about building an emergency fund, investing in stocks and bonds, starting a side business (or two) and planning for retirement.

This is a very well done, and concise, book. For most people, this book may be nothing more than common knowledge. There will always be those for whom this book is a revelation. To help make up for the extreme lack of financial literacy in America, this short book is an excellent place to start.

Goal Setting for Entrepreneurship

 Goal Setting for Entrepreneurship, Timothy Presley, Independently Published, 2021

Setting goals for a new business is not much different than setting personal goals. That's what this book is all about.

"I want to be rich." It's a laudable goal, but define "rich." How long are you giving your business to get there? Among the requirements of goal are that it be specific, measurable, achievable and timely. "I want to achieve a million dollars in sales in my first year." It's closer to a good goal. The only problem is that it is not very achievable for a new business. "I want to achieve at least $50,000 in sales in my first year." It's measurable, specific and it has a time limit attached. Break that overall goal into smaller pieces, like monthly sales goals, and, every day, resolve to do at least one goal-oriented thing.

Be sure to write down that overall goal, and post it where you can see it every day. Otherwise, it's a dream, not a goal. Tell someone else about your goal, and ask them to hold you accountable. It's much harder to let someone else down than it is to let yourself down. Try visualization, and using a vision board. Consider setting short, medium and long term goals for your business (6 months, 1 year and 5 years).

Here is an excellent book. It is short, about 50 pages, and it says a lot. This belongs on the reading list of every entrepreneur.

Change Your Habits, Change Your Life

 Change Your Habits, Change Your Life, Timothy Presley, 2021, self-published

Habits are how we do things without thinking. They can be good or bad habits, but we developed them over time to supposedly make our lives easier. How do we replace our bad habits with good habits? That's what this book is all about.

The best way to start a new habit is to actually do it, frequently. Your brain will build up the required neural connections, and will remember how to do it. There are several things to do to change bad habits, including changing the environment around you, change your thinking, and making a list of the good things that will happen (including the money you will save) if you stop your bad habit. When you acquire a new good habit, you might feel happier and be better organized, it will be easier to reach your life's goals and your chances of success will increase, along with reducing your stress level.

The book gets specific about actions to take to change bad habits, like an impulsive personality, indulging in too much alcohol or nicotine, or watching too much TV. Exchanging that bad habit with a good habit, like going for a walk after dinner, usually helps.

For most people, this book may be considered common knowledge. Even if a person can do only one of the tips in this book, it will help a lot. This book is short, less than 40 pages, and it is full of information. It is recommended for everyone.

Managing Time Effectively

Managing Time Effectively: How to Boost Productivity, Making Effective and Practical Schedules, Embracing Change, Leadership and Organization, Timothy Presley, 2021, self-published

Is there not enough time in the day for everything you need to do? Are you a hard-core procrastinator? This book might just help.

Decide which tasks are important (do those first) and leave the rest for later. Make a schedule, and stick to it like glue. If you really can't do it all, learn how to delegate some of the tasks to others. Set personal goals, and, if necessary, break them up into smaller, more manageable pieces. Stay off the internet, except for certain, specific times of the day. What is your best time of day? Are you a morning person or a night owl? Learn how to manage change, because you can't stop it.

This book is short (less than 100 pages) and very easy to read. For most people, the tips in this book are just common knowledge. Even if a person can do only a few of these tips, it will help greatly. This is very much worth reading.