The Beginning Process

Life is hectic. Sometimes it's easy to miss the simple steps we should take before embarking on a new project, or those things we should do in the beginning of our daily routine.

For example, sometimes we forget:

* To stretch before exercising.

* To check weather and traffic reports before leaving the house.

* To make a shopping list before going to the grocery store.

* To pack a first aid kit before traveling.

* To read the educational materials before attending classes.

There is no difference when it comes to our health and personal finances. To attain proper health and become and remain financially fit, there are steps we must follow from the beginning.

Regardless of your belief in God, one incontrovertible fact remains, the Bible is the most printed book in the world, with over 5 to 6 billion copies in print. This being said, there are a few interesting points worth noting in the first sentence of the first book in the Bible:

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1 KJV).

Wow! How interesting.

Notice the fifth word, which is also the first verb of the Bible: created. Creating requires thought, imagination, and invention in order to produce something unique.

Why do I reference the first sentence in the Bible? Simply because if God, as a supreme and perfect being, starts His ultimate project by the process of creation, shouldn't that be a source of inspiration for us? Is it possible for us to create good health and good financial management systems from the beginning just as God created the heavens and the earth in the beginning?

The first sentence in the Bible could be a tremendous source of inspiration and insight for all of us.

By the same token, it is equally important to note what is absent from the first sentence in the Bible. Nowhere does it say:

In the beginning God WORKED.

In the beginning God PAID.

In the beginning God READ.

Is it safe, therefore, to say that good health and proper finances can be created from the beginning of our life's journey? I personally believe that it's both possible and feasible.

As individuals, we have a chance to create, to fashion and design a lifestyle and habits that result in good health and good financial standing.

To create good health and good finances, there are two simple yet powerful steps to follow:

1. Identify the things we do not want, thus ensuring these negatives do not emerge in the future.

2. Identify the things we would like to have. This will keep us focused and satisfied.

We are basically creating an image of who we would like to be and the life we would like to have.

Let's start with our health. Here are some of the diseases and health issues — all painful, devastating, and agonizing — that we should strive to stay away from:

* Cardiovascular disease

* Cancer

* Diabetes

* Chronic pain

* Stress

* Obesity

Now, let's look at the qualities we desire for our health:

* Energy

* Vigor

* Longevity

* Pain-free living

* Resiliency

* Tenacity

When it comes to finances, we can all identify negative and unpleasant conditions we would like to improve. To put it bluntly, it's not fun being poor, struggling day to day to make ends meet.

Here are the financial conditions we want to avoid:

* Being broke.

* Working paycheck to paycheck.

* Owing money to creditors, family, and/or friends.

* Living in an undesirable and/or dangerous neighborhood.

* Lacking an emergency fund.

* Compromising your integrity due to financial difficulties.

Now, let's look at the financial conditions we should desire:

* Having an emergency fund.

* Earning residual or surplus money without having to work every day.

* Living in a safe and pleasant neighborhood.

* Having enough money to invest without stressing over simple things.

* Eliminating debt and living without fear of losing your assets.

* Indulging in occasional luxury without remorse or regret.

* Being in a position to help others financially.

Now that we have covered "the beginning," (which is knowing what we want vs. what we don't want), let's get ready to jump into our next topic: the "PLEASE HELP" acronym.

The "Please Help" Acronym

The PLEASE HELP acronym is "The Healthy Financials Formula," which is the central theme and heart of this book. It's important to pay attention to this formula, understand it, and work diligently on each letter. I believe this acronym is universal, but as it applies to your individual health and finances, it can make a measurable difference in your life.

When using the PLEASE HELP acronym, it is vital that we are consider the following:

1. Pitfalls to avoid

2. Success formula to obtain

No matter where you are in life, even if you are already successful, using the PLEASE HELP acronym can help you improve certain areas of your health and finances. PLEASE HELP stands for:

PHILOSOPHY: Your personal philosophy is the mental thoughts and belief systems that engage your actions.

LAWS IN PLACE: Physical laws state that a particular phenomenon always occurs if certain conditions are present.

ESTIMATE THE COST: An outlay or expenditure of money, time, labor, trouble, sweat, and hardships required to acquire, produce, accomplish, or maintain anything.

ATTITUDE: Mental reaction toward something. Also, an attitude can be defined as a positive or negative evaluation of people, objects, events, activities, ideas, or just about anything in your environment.

SOURCE AND RESOURCES: A source is anything or any place from which something comes, arises, or is obtained. Resources are a source of supply, support, or aid, especially those that can be readily drawn upon when needed.

EFFECTIVE TIME MANAGEMENT: Time management is the act or process of planning and exercising conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency, or productivity.

HAVING A PLAN: A plan is simply a list of all of the steps, with timing and resources, needed to achieve an objective or a desired goal.

EVALUATE: Determination of a subject's merit, worth, and significance, using criteria governed by a set of standards.

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