Here are several tips to help break that bad habit:

• Identify Your Triggers - In order to overcome you need to understand. Is it a specific type of task, a lack of motivation or simply a habit of delaying things? By pinpointing and understanding your triggers you can develop strategies to overcome them.

• Set Clear Goals - clear and specific goals provide direction and motivation. They are easier to visualize and commit to. For example: instead of saying “I need to exercise more,” say “I will go for a 30 minute walk every morning at 7am.”

• Break Tasks into Smaller Steps - stop setting yourself up for failure. Large tasks can be overwhelming leading to procrastination. Break them down into smaller manageable steps = Identify the main steps of your task then divide those steps into subtask and begin with the easiest subtask. Completing smaller tasks provide a sense of accomplishment and builds momentum.

• Change Your Environment - Create a workspace that's conducive to productivity. Remove distractions: put your phone on do not disturb in another room (Yes I am serious). Surround yourself with what inspires you: favorite picture on your desk, candles, incense, plants all uplift spirits and mood.

• Use Time Management Techniques - breaks boost efficiency; working in focused bursts with short breaks (Pomodoro technique) can help you stay on track and concentrated. Work intensively for 25 minutes then take a 5 minute break (no phone, social media, or web browsing though- have a snack, go stand outside or by the window and just breathe). Repeat and take a longer break after 4 cycles.

• Challenge Negative Thoughts - procrastination often comes with negative self-talk which leads to doubts and insecurity. Replace them with positive affirmations ahead of time. Instead of thinking, “I can’t do this or I will never finish this” say “Ha- I can handle this, I am almost done, one step at a time”

• Accountability - share your goals with a friend or family member who can hold you accountable. Ask them to check on you regularly and set some stakes if you don’t complete your task. For example: no football on Sunday, no TV, no hanging out with your friends until you catch up and complete 2 task to get your goal back on track.

• Learn From Your Mistakes - setbacks will happen, take time to understand why it happened. Instead of beating yourself up or going on a pitty trip use it as a learning opportunity. What caused the delay and how can you prevent it next time? Then restart and remember that feeling of disappointment going forward.

• Maintain A Healthy Lifestyle - a healthy body leads to a healthy mind. Eat balanced whole meals, Exercise 3-4 times a week, Sleep 7-8 hours

Here are some tips that can help:

• Automate Your Savings - Technology is a tool, use it to make savings and investing a no brainer. Set up automatic transfers on payday so you don’t even have to think about it.

• Start Small, But Start NOW - you don’t need a large sum of money to begin. Small regular contribution add up and compound over time.

• Educate Yourself - Knowledge is power, it builds confidence and destroys fear. One of the main reasons people procrastinate investing is lack of knowledge or fear of making a mistake. Invest time to learn different techniques and strategies will help you build confidence.

• Track Your Progress and Celebrate Milestones - Monitoring your progress can be motivating and help you stay on track. Review your statements monthly and reward yourself when you hit a milestone. Not by spending but by increasing your automatic transfer +5% and watch your account grow

Here are the main points from last week:

• August Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed headline inflation was slightly elevated on an annual basis at 3.7% vs 3.2% in July. Rising energy prices after a 10% surge in gasoline prices was one of the primary concerns. Inflation remains sticky and still well above the Fed’s 2% target.

• Crude oil prices set new 10-month high trading just over $90 a barrel. Energy prices continue to increase as both Saudi Arabia and Russia tighten global supply. Elevated energy prices cause a big worry, because it could push CPI higher to the point where the Fed will have to hike rates again.

• United Auto Workers UAW went on strike against Ford, GM, and Stellantis (makers of Jeep) after failing to reach new labor agreements.

• British chip design company ARM successful IPO after a +25% debut. This is a big risk appetite test for markets and it will be interesting to see if it continues next week with Instacart set to IPO.

• Apple closed down -1.78% for the week following it’s “Wonderlust” product launch event that featured the introduction of the iPhone 15 and ongoing scrutiny in China.

• Airlines continued to warn about Q3 outlooks partially due to rising fuel cost - Spirit Airlines, Delta, American Airlines and Frontier Group.

• China’s Economic data improved after it’s CPI, retail sales, industrial production and lending demand all came in better than expected.

Procrastination is a smoldering ember; Accomplishment is the roaring fire that fuels your dreams. 🙌

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