Is it time to expand the circle of people our family can hang out with? 

Should we paint the house and replace the fence or hold onto that money until things “settle down”? 

Should we make donations to community or political organizations?

The unique challenges we’ve all faced over the past few months have made our financial and emotional decision making process even tougher than normal. One way we can start moving forward again is to define what’s essential versus nonessential in our lives at this very moment.

For example, I’ve largely whittled down my essential list for my business to the following:

1. Check in regularly with my clients and be available to help.

2. Write and share my e-newsletter, blog post, and audio article twice a month.

3. Help new clients clarify what’s essential and align their financial resources accordingly.

Many other things that would normally reside on this list have been removed so that they don’t conflict with my personal essential list:

1. Take care of my family.

2. Get enough sleep and exercise regularly.

3. Keep in touch with my family and friends.

Try taking another look at your current situation with fresh eyes. Be selective, realistic, and intentional about how you are fitting them all together. And most importantly, be ready and willing to cut yourself some slack. 

When you’re watching the kids at home while you’re both working full-time and reacting to everything going on in the news, something has to give. Start by being empathetic with yourself. You’ll then find it easier to extend that same empathy to other people in your life, too. And more empathy is something the whole world could use right now.

If you want help clarifying your essential list and making sure your financial resources are aligned with your list, I’m here to help.

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