The majority of people inherit their beliefs and values from their parents So along with Mum’s eyes and occasionally Dad’s nose, we are likely to become conditioned by their set of rules around money, which in turn came from their previous generation

Many of us grow up with a set of beliefs about ourselves or comparing ourselves unfavourably with others As we grow up we begin to put ourselves down for any slight failure, whether real or imagined

The current financial crisis has sharpened the focus on the need for better financial education across all segments of the population Just as information and guidance on healthy eating and exercise can prevent a lifetime of obesity, effective financial education, when started at an early age, can prevent chronic financial health problems later in life

At first it may appear that the setting of goals is the easy part Whether the goal is financial, weight related or training for a marathon, it can be defined by clearly deciding what you want to achieve and by expressing it in positive, precise terms

The expression of a goal or objective in clear, concise terms enhances the potential to achieve it In goal setting the acronym SMART is perhaps the most well used process for structuring goals

Do you remember that first spark of hope I felt it clearly when I watched The Secret for the first time

Continuing social, economic and political change over the last five years has meant that the need for financial capability in young people is even more pressing In many western counties issues surrounding increasing levels of personal debt, crashing markets and their effect on pensions mean that there is a greater need for individuals to take a more active and informed interest in their own financial future

It is a widely held belief that the earlier children learn a foreign language, the quicker they will be able to pick it up and achieve fluency The same is also true when it comes to teaching children about money and developing financial fluency

Have you ever considered that many of the world’s most successful people invest thousands of dollars or equivalent, plus countless hours on personal development and education Did the success precede the investment or did the investment precede the success

Goal setting is not new Many business and motivational experts such as Jim Rohn or Brian Tracy have been extolling their virtues for many years

In 1910 Wallace D Wattles wrote what was to become one of the classic books on wealth creation and financial success ‘The Science of Getting Rich’ has inspired generations of entrepreneurs, business owners and free thinkers and was credited as the inspiration behind the Law of Attraction book and movie phenomenon ‘The Secret’

Success, would you know it if you found it It is notoriously difficult to measure success since the yardstick of success is nebulous and ever changing