Getting Past Procrastination

We all do it. We can all think of things that need to be done...and the sooner the better. It happens in all seasons of the year. You say things like "This year I'm going to start to exercise/diet/take a class/mow the grass/review my finances/develop a will/etc. The list goes on and on. Yet, things just seem to get in the way. Even though you know that these things that need to get done are important, deep down you want to put them off as long as possible. Logical? No. Human Nature? Yes!

The truth is procrastination is a habit, and a bad one at that. But, this time of year is the best time to make sure you accomplish some of those things that really should be done. It's cold out so there are no pressing golf games to attend. The kids are in school, so no pesky vacations that need to be taken before we "buckle down" to work. In fact, as far as most things financial go, this is the one time of year that you have collected all of your financial information to complete your tax forms.

As you are looking at the various forms that were sent to you last month, check out how much interest you paid on your mortgage. Is this the time to consider refinancing? Maybe. If your credit is better now than it was when you took your mortgage out, it is probably worth the time to sit down with a trusted advisor and look at your options. Or, maybe that house is feeling a little cramped. Now would be a good time to review if you can finally afford that dream home for which you've always wished. The point is you have most of the work already done...why let Uncle Sam be the only one who benefits from your organization of information.

It is always hard to break a bad habit. Hard, but not impossible. Don't let procrastination make you pass up or delay getting the benefit of the one time of year where your finances are at their most organized.