At CommonCents Financial Planning, we view money as fuel for your dreams, not the dream itself.
I recently hosted a webinar exploring how to create goals that make life vibrant and I shared a framework to help craft goals that stick, drawing from my own personal journey.
Here are three steps we use to help families plan a future they love.
1. Visualise Goals with Vivid Clarity
I once dreamed of crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, picturing salty air, seagulls, and a cool wind.
For any goal—like a family vacation or a new home—I use my five senses to make it real. I imagine the beach’s warmth or research destinations online. This clarity, sharpened by tools like virtual tours, keeps me focused and energised.
2. Align Goals with My Core Values
My goals must reflect what I hold dear, like family or security. I’ve learned chasing $1 million without purpose is just an empty pursuit.
I like to list my top values— such as connection, growth, or stability—and tie my goals to them.
Things like saving for my kids’ education aligns with my value of opportunity, driving me through challenges.
3. Believe in My Success
The story of Roger Bannister breaking the four-minute mile inspires me—belief made it possible. Before his run, many thought it impossible, but his success sparked others.
If I doubt a goal—like becoming an astronaut at 51—it’s doomed. I choose realistic dreams, like debt freedom or a family trip, trusting I can achieve them.
I urge you to try my method: pick one goal, visualise it vividly, align it with your values, and believe in it.
It’s how I shape my family’s future at CommonCents Financial Planning, and it can work for you.
