Knowledge to Change

New knowledge of facts and financial management techniques causes some students to change their attitudes and behavior. To be really free and independent, know your attitude, management style, and patterns if you need to change them for any reason. Try new patterns in life, find out what works best for you.

First ask why you are resistant to change and to making adjustments.

Do you know how to change?

Are you willing to change even if you are knowledgeable?

Are you able to change or are you too preoccupied or frightened to try something new?

Start with small changes and work up to big ones. Know ways to reduce or change spending: Try to get same satisfactions with less money. Earn prestige in ways other than buying a new car or drinks for friends. Impress others in other ways than expensive clothes. Earn entertainment other than exciting and expensive food and drinks.

Set a definite time to try a new pattern or life style. Try for a designated period of time. You have to learn a new system.

Willingness to change

Change is difficult and resisted. Look for progress, not perfection. Succeeding in a transition takes time, discipline, cooperation of friends and family, and perhaps assistance of professionals or a support group.

Why You May Be Unwilling or Resistant to Change:

• Your pressing priorities at this time keep you from thinking ahead. Your uncertain about long-term goals until prior short-term goals are met.
  
  
• Your preconceived ideas and strong values are contrary to the alternative recommended.
  
  
• Your role(s) interferes with implementation of alternatives – This may be the hardest part of management.
  
  
• Your significant other(s) doesn't want you to change and you want to please him/her.
  
  
• A severe emotional anxiety makes you unable to change even if you are knowledgeable.
  
  
  
• You cannot face reality due to: a) erroneous beliefs, b) the new alternative being too overwhelming, upsetting or painful, or c) the new alternative being too new to absorb.
  
  
• Your emotional anxieties dominate over rational action. You are spending money as a reaction to guilt, self-pity, or fear.
  
  
• Your habits are so ingrained that responses are automatic and feel natural, good, and comforting; change is anxiety producing.
  
  
• Societal pressures are such that a change does not fit into life at the time. (For example, if meeting the needs of other persons or one's children is more important than changing credit use.)
• You have depression that stifles hope and energy needed to meet the demands that new alternatives would command.
  
  
• Preoccupation with another crisis that is overwhelming. ( i.e., "You can't worry about the pot on the stove boiling over when the house is on fire.")
  
• You allow societal pressures, such as advertising, to dominate your attitude and behavior.
  
  
• A comfort zone you want to keep rather than expand. ( i.e., You are unable to handle the conflict and anxieties that expand the comfort zone with new alternatives.)
  
  
• You lack discipline.
  
  
• Trapped or hindered from environmental pressures all around that keep you from stepping out onto new paths.
  
  
• Your emotional needs ( i.e., need for self-esteem, respect, love, and physical provisions) are insufficient to permit working on other needs.

Ability to Adjust Section I / Section II / Section III Return to Financial Planning