GREENSBORO, N.C. — Founding Father Benjamin Franklin once famously said, "You may delay, but time will not."
Time, as all busy Americans know, is a thief, which is why U.S. President Harry S. Truman coined the term, "the buck stops here."
Money author and public speaker Ja'Net Adams, founder of Debt Sucks University, said she could sense the panic of a WFMY viewer, who had seen the previous segment about mid-year finances and was worried she had waited too long to get her annual money goals back on track.
Adams said there is no time like the present to fix financial woes, and three simple steps can penetrate the mental constriction of procrastination.
Write it down:
There is a benefit, Adams has seen, in putting pen to paper -- literally.
"It's hard to ignore money goals that are written down. Write down the financial goals that you want to start or complete in the second half of this year. Once you write it down, put it in a place where you can see it every day to remind you of what you are trying to accomplish. The purpose of this exercise is to make you see a visual representation of your dreams daily, so that procrastination can't creep in," she explained.
Get a partner:
And, when that procrastination does 'creep in,' an outside voice can help counteract any non-productive thoughts.
"Find an accountability partner. This is someone who is also trying to accomplish money goals in the second half of the year. It is easier to accomplish your goals when you have someone to do it with you. It can be a friend, family member or someone (trustworthy) you know on social media. Just find someone," Adams suggested.
Imagine your future:
When temptations, like 'must-have' Prime Day deals threaten to ram an online shopping cart through your smart savings, find the force to forge forward.
"The strongest force against procrastination with your money goals is the future. I want you to take some time and think, 'Where will my life be at next year, at this time, if I don't take action on my financial goals?' If you are not satisfied where you are today, then you have no time for procrastination, and you need to get started today," Adams confirmed.
Question for Ja'Net? Check out her website.