financial management – Financial Education Learning Platform

By Tokiso TKay Nthebe It is twenty-two days into the new year. How are you tracking against the goals you set for 2025? Without exerting too much pressure—after all, it is ONLY twenty-two days in—let’s have an honest moment. What are you doing differently this year to transform your life and finances? The reality is that achieving any goal—whether it is eating healthier, reading more books, or building an emergency fund—requires change, and change is HARD. If your goal is to work out more, waking up at 4 a.m. every day to hit the gym is hard, but so is not working out and dealing with the consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle. If your goal is to budget better, track spending, and save more and cutting expenses, downgrading your lifestyle is hard, but so is living pay-check to pay-check and experiencing financial anxiety. If your goal is to set financial boundaries and enforce them without guilt, saying "no" to requests that derail your goals is hard, but so is saying "yes" to everything and falling short of your dreams. How Do We Choose Our Hard? This weekend, I watched an episode of the Diary of a CEO Podcast that shifted my perspective on doing hard things. The guest, Jaspreet Singh—an entrepreneur, financial educator, and host of the Minority Mindset YouTube channel—shared valuable insights on managing finances and choosing your hard. He reminded us of an important truth: “Life is either going to be hard now, or it will be hard for the rest of your life. You have to decide what’s more important to you.” If your number one goal is to turn your finances around or build wealth, you need to take it seriously because, as Jaspreet puts it, “Where you put your attention is where you get results.” Practical Tips for Staying the Course: Set Clear, Achievable Goals: Break down your financial goals into smaller, actionable steps. For example, instead of saying, “I want to save LSL5 000” start with, “I will save LSL200 per month.” Track Your Progress: Regularly review your budget and expenses to ensure you are on track. Use apps or a simple spreadsheet to monitor your spending. Find an Accountability Partner: Share your goals with someone who will encourage you to stay disciplined and focused. This could be a friend, a coach, or a community group. Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge your progress, no matter how small. Did you stick to your budget this month? That’s a win worth celebrating! Learn and Adjust: Be open to learning from your mistakes. If something is not working, adjust your approach without giving up on the goal. Our Challenge to You What do you want to achieve in 2025? More importantly, where will you focus your energy? As you start this new year, I challenge you to pick your hard. Focus your energy on the results you want to see in your life and commit to the journey. Remember, the hard work you put in today will create a better tomorrow. To support you in this journey, TKO Financial Wellness is excited to introduce the Finance Trailblazers Financial Coaching Program. This program is designed to help you choose your hard and navigate your finances with confidence. To register email info@tkofinancialwellness.com —don’t miss out! Let’s make 2025 the year you take control and thrive. Choose your hard, and let’s get started!