Achieve Results at Home, At Work, and In Life

Dear Lisa,

Hello everyone! I hope you are enjoying the early morning light since we turned the clocks back. I don't like that it gets dark so early in the evening, but you can't have it all!

The holidays are coming up fast (where did the year go?) and they bring a lot of joy... but they also can bring a lot of stress and anxiety, especially from a financial standpoint as people worry about over-spending. In this month's feature article, I discuss the problem of lack of communication and differences in opinion as to the role that money and finances should play in relationships. I work with people and businesses on a very deep and intimate level. I see the lack of systems, which are often the cause of financial problems. But the biggest issue that contributes to financial differences is the lack of communication. Check out the article and let it serve as a challenge t o engage in some meaningful communication about money.

I have been enjoying a wonderful mix of speaking engagements, business coaching, productivity consulting, and career coaching this month, with some life coaching thrown in! I love the work that I do, and feel privileged to be able to work with so many success-driven clients. In fact, the meaningful work I get to do is one of the things I am most thankful for as I think about my blessings this Thanksgiving (and of course, my amazing husband, family and friends). What are you thankful for? Take a moment to write it down so you can be reminded of the abundance in your life.

Happy Thanksgiving~

 
   
P.S. Welcome to the new subscribers. I am thrilled that you have decided to become a member of the LMOS online community!

• September 2011 to April 2012 - Lisa is serving as facilitator for 8-month Peer Exchange Program, a mastermind group for women entrepreneurs as part of Women's Enterprise Development Center.
• November 21, 2011 - Lisa is presenting The Productive Entrepreneur for the Entrepreneurial Assistance Program of Orange County, NY.
• November 30, 2011 - Lisa is presenting Public Speaking for Entrepreneurs for Women's Enterprise Development Center in Yonkers, NY.
• January 17, 2012 - Lisa will be presenting Time Management for Effective Leadership for Westchester Junior League in Tarrytown, NY.
• January 19, 2012 - Lisa is presenting Goal Setting at Work and in Life for Rehabilitation Suport Services in Goshen, NY.
• February 21 to March 21, 2012 - Lisa will be offering her 6-week DECIDE to be Organized Group Coaching Program.  Details coming soon! If you would like to be put on our "Save the Date" list, to be notified, please email me at Lisa@LMOrganizingSolutions.com.
• March 22-24, 2012 - Lisa will be serving as Moderator of the Golden Circle Ask the Organizer Panel at the 2012 NAPO Conference in Baltimore, MD. Lisa will also be presenting "Don't Be Afraid of the Big Bad Law: Using the Law as a Protective Shield for Your Organizing Business."
• April 18, 2012 - Lisa will be presenting Boost Your Productivity as a Busy Law Professional for the National Association of Law Placement annual conference in Austin, TX.

You often hear that money is one of the biggest reasons why people get divorced. Likewise, in business, differences over money cause many partnerships to split up. But money itself it not the problem. The problem is the lack of communication and differences in opinion as to the role that money and finances should play in a marriage, relationship, or partnership.

In my role as a productivity consultant and business coach, I work with people and businesses on a very deep and intimate level. I see the lack of systems, which are often the cause of financial problems. But the biggest issue, by far, that contributes to financial differences is the lack of communication.

For example, in many households, one spouse or significant other is in charge of paying the bills. Seems innocent enough. However, the bill paying system is set up the way th e person that created it thinks, and the other partner/spouse is not even privy to the system. This is unwise in the best of circumstances and downright dangerous in the extreme. If something were to happen to the spouse/partner that created the system, the other person would be at a loss to figure out the system. This could lead to some annoying results, such as late fees, lots of phone calls to track down payments, etc. In the extreme, it can lead to financial set-backs that are more damaging in nature.

So, what to do? In a word, communicate!

Create a System that is User-Friendly: Yes, the system can be mostly designed around the person that will be maintaining it, but make sure it is fairly user-friendly overall. That way, if something happens to the creator of the system, the other party involved can acc ess the system with some ease. Or even a third party outside the relationship can easily access the system if that was determined to be the best course of action.

Share the System: It is vitally important when dealing with matters of finance to share the process or system used. This includes making sure that your spouse/partner knows where the system is located, what form it is in, what passwords are needed, who has access to the system, etc. Be sure to capture the details of the system in a permanent form (written or electronic) so that the non-primary financial spouse/partner knows where and how to access it if necessary. Taking the time to communicate the details of the system will prove to be of the utmost importance if the spouse/partner ever needs to take over the system temporarily or permanently.

Go Electronic: With all of the powerful technology available today, there is no reason to have a system that is in da nger of being lost, deleted or destroyed. You can use software or “the cloud” to maintain your financial systems. There are many options available, some supported by third parties and some available from your own financial institutions. Consider Quick Books, Mint.com, or online bill paying offered by your bank. Research and review all options as a team so that you find the best system for all involved. Again, even if there is a primary financial contact or worker-bee, the other spouse/partner needs to be given access and know about the system "just in case."

Back-Up the System: Whatever form your financial system is in, back it up! Assume that something will be deleted, lost or ruined at some point down the line, and plan for that event long before it occurs. That way, when and if it does, you are prepared with a back-up. The back-up can be on your computer, server, on a CD-Rom, external hard drive, or "cloud-based." Make sure to commu nicate to your spouse/partner where the back-up system is maintained and how to retrieve it in the event it is needed. Then, assume that Murphy’s Law will be on your side, and because you took these extra measures, you and your spouse/partner will never need the back up.

Coaching Challenge: Make an appointment with your spouse, significant other, or business partner to discuss the financial system in your lives or business, and take the steps above to create, access, and protect the system. Not only will you be safeguarding your financial wellness, you could also be helping to save your relationship!