Your financial wellness is important to your overall well-being. You are happier with enough money to meet financial obligations and improve your situation. However, when you do not have enough, there is a tendency to forego what might be important to you. And the opportunity costs of doing that can, in some instances, be devastating.
Lack of finances affects your ability to live the life you want. And in situations where your financial circumstances do not reflect the outcome you want, you will seek to improve your financial situation. Are you trying to improve your financial situation but you do not know how to go about it? 
Then this post is for you.
Below are 7 Steps To Improve Your Financial Situation. Furthermore, these steps are actionable, and you can start implementing them almost immediately after reading this. What are these steps?
7 Steps To Improve Your Financial Situation
1. Deep Desire
2. Self-Assessment
3. Close Identified Gaps
4. Create A Plan
5. Take Action
6. Measure Progress
7. Evaluate Outcomes
Let’s look at each step in more detail.
1. Deep Desire
You need to have a deep desire to be financially free and rich. Equally important, is that your desire has to be intense and heartfelt. Your current financial situation should become unacceptable to you. When you realize your situation is unacceptable you will seek to change it at all costs.
One way of knowing you need a change is when there is a sense of restlessness within you. You feel a sense of containment and constraint. Then you realize you can be more. After which you desire to do more. Suddenly you want the financial empowerment that your growing desires tell you is needed to get you what you want.
At this point you need to;
#1 – Look for options to improve your situation
Start looking for information that will advance you financially. For instance, you can start reading financial literature, e.g. articles and books that teach you how to make money, budget, save, invest, and develop good money habits. Where possible start attending webinars, seminars, and workshops on personal finance.
#2 – Become intentional in your actions
Intentionally observe your surroundings. Look at how small-scale businesses around you are being run. Similarly, note the businesses that seem to be more lucrative. Also, note customer influx, and ask questions.
All that you are doing at this point is stimulating your mind to perceive, think, and process outside its current reality in preparation for your next level. This is you warming up your mind and expanding your horizon.
You might not notice it but things will begin to shift in your favor. As well as the feeling of restlessness turns into something akin to a sense of achievement because you are doing something to move out of your current financial confinement.
Changing your thought process is an ability given to humans to gradually improve their physical state by first transforming their mindset. First, this is a great tool in your arsenal as a human being. Second, it is a tool of “possibility” that tells your mind that there is another possibility different from what you currently see. Every human being has this ability but few use it.
2. Self-Assessment
Your next step is to conduct a self-assessment. This means that you need to honestly assess your current situation, how you got there, and where you want to be.
You need this information to know the most appropriate solution for your situation. Your self-assessment could be asking yourself hard questions. Accurately diagnose your current financial situation by looking at what brought you here.
For instance;
Did you lose your job?
Are you underpaid relative to your qualifications?
Have you always had a steady source of income or not?
Do you have a valued skill set that is in demand?
Will becoming more skilled help you specialize and command higher fees?
Is your lack of money because you’re living above your means?
Again your answer will give you an insight into what you need to change to advance yourself.
3. Close Identified Gaps
You can use important insights gleaned from the above assessment. It will show you what you can do to start yourself on the path of change.
For example;
Did you lose your job?
You need to upgrade your resume and look for another job, maybe in an industry in, which you are most qualified. And if you are going to do that are there any impediments you know that could limit your chances in that industry? You must research the industry, sector, or niche to find out. Address likely challenges identified before you apply.
Do you have a valued skill set that is in demand?
If you have a valued skill you might prefer to be self-employed instead. But have you considered what type of business you would like to get into? Most businesses with a physical presence are now online. The number of online businesses has also increased. Post-pandemic skills have become more digital. Are you well suited to run an online business? If not, are you prepared to put in the work to learn the needed skills for this?
Are you underpaid relative to your qualifications?
Are you are underpaid? You may want to pitch your skills to another employer, or better still upgrade your current skill set while still in employment to get better pay from your current employer. To achieve this, you might require certification, in-house mentorship, or a formal degree. You will need to identify what is required and do it.
Have you always had a steady source of income or not?
It might be that you have not had a steady source of income. If that is your situation, you may want to look into the factors responsible for this. Did you make that choice? Then you need to re-visit that choice if it is not allowing you to live a financially stable life. Has this been due to circumstances beyond your control? Then isolate the exact reason why and address it if you can. Otherwise, seek help from friends, family, counselors, or coaches.
Are you skilled but not focused enough to specialize and command higher fees?
You might be skilled and able to get a job but do not command fees commensurate with your abilities. It could be that you need to specialize and be seen as an expert in your field. If that is the case, you can advance yourself in line with your industry standards, or seek the help of a career coach to further guide you in your specific circumstance.
Are you living above your means?
If you are living above your means, racking up credit card debts, stretching yourself out with loans, and never meeting up, stop immediately. Take a critical look at what you are spending all that money on and why. You can take this financial test to check how good you are with your money. You might need to acquire financial skills such as budgeting, saving, and investing in addition to making behavioral adjustments to improve your financial situation.
4. Create A Plan
Create your roadmap with the information at your disposal. This plan will guide you step-by-step to your desired financial destination. 
A plan is very important. It will make your journey to financial stability quick and focused. Create a plan for every situation you identified. Your plan can be as simple as jotting down what you need to do as detailed in step three above.
For instance, if you need a job your plan could be to;
1. Jot down your work experience and what you can bring to the table when employed.
2. Identify the industry you will like to work in, plus the specific companies in that industry you prefer.
3. Be clear on the specific job role you want.
4. Confirm from your skill set if you are qualified to work in that role.
5. Make a critical decision to either work in the job role you qualify for, or to get yourself qualified for the role you prefer.
6. If you want to retrain yourself before applying then go ahead to do that.
7. First confirm the training and certifications valued in that industry before you retrain.
8. Ask questions and research the websites of these companies to be sure you know what they want.
9. Put together your resume and apply.
10. You might want to also reach out to a staff of the company and naturally build a relationship with them. To gain real-time insights about working in that organization.
11. Prepare yourself from insights received for the interview process.
12. Prep yourself on how to respond to opportunities when they show up. Build up your self-confidence.
5. Take Action
Take action at this point. You must do it. Without action, everything will remain a dream. You have to birth your desires in the realm of reality. First, you have to keep hope alive that your financial situation will improve. Second, your physical carriage should reflect this. See yourself where you want to be rather than where you are. This attitude will give you a lift. Third, follow your plan through and only tweak it, if necessary.
You will notice positive changes in yourself as you go along. One, some hidden traits and attributes about yourself will start to emerge. Get the right attitude to make this process a learning experience that will further reveal other life-changing options you might not have been aware of. For instance, you might discover that you are adept at certain skills you would have considered difficult. This could be the clincher for you. Stay through the required process and your financial situation will improve.
6. Measure Progress
Measure your progress consistently to know if you are on course to hit your goals or not. For instance, if your financial situation was caused by living above your means. The first suggestion will be to cut down on your spending.
This means you need to know your monthly income. Know the amount you spend on various expense items. Calculate the balance left over each month and know if you are in a surplus or deficit financial position, and by how much. If you are in debt you might be funding a monthly deficit with your credit cards or soft loans.
When you change your spending behavior your monthly financial balance will improve. Your progress will reflect a commensurate increase in your surplus balance or a reduction in the deficit position.
7. Evaluate Outcomes
At this point, the outcomes of your efforts will begin to show. Financial improvement is a gradual process and requires consistency. It is not a quick fix. Your financial situation did not get here overnight. It would require a step-by-step application of good money habits, sound financial principles, and self-mastery to improve your financial situation.
How To Avoid Mental Health Challenges Due To Financial Set-Backs
Your mental health is impacted if you are experiencing adverse financial circumstances. It makes you unhappy, depressed, and unable to function optimally.
Research by the American Psychological Association (APA) has shown that financial stress can lead to anxiety, loss of sleep, depression, and general declining health. Therefore, seek to protect your health when faced with financial setbacks.
Equally important, stay healthy to improve your financial situation because any associated illness can lead to avoidable health costs.
5 Tips To Help You Avoid Mental Health Challenges
Here are some tips to help you avoid mental health challenges as you work on improving your finances.
1. Stay positive that your situation will change. You can read these books for inspirational stories about other well-known people who overcame similar financial challenges. From there you learn strategies others used to improve their finances. Some of these strategies might resonate with you and you can apply them.
2. Take plenty of water, enjoy the sunlight, and relax. These are part of the relaxation techniques employed in stress management. Applying some of these related techniques can reduce stress symptoms by lowering blood pressure, improving digestion, reducing muscle tension, etc. Thereby allowing you to enjoy a better quality of life.
3. Stay connected to family and friends. You can take time out to call loved ones to discuss how they are doing. Looking out for others also helps you look away from your challenges. Get a feeling of fulfillment as you lend a helping hand to other family members in need. Under certain circumstances, you might also share what you are going through with trusted others who can advise. Likewise, take out time to have fun activities with family and friends.
4. Avoid the temptation to fall into unhealthy coping methods such as drinking, gambling, or substance abuse. Instead, socialize and be intentional about it. Similarly, you might take a break from social media in favor of in-person interactions.
5. If you need third-party support, do not hesitate to seek professional coaching or counseling.
5 Things You Can Do To Earn Income Fast
You can be in a dire financial situation and need money fast. There are a few things you can do almost immediately to earn income. It might not be a ground-breaking amount but enough to buy groceries. At this point, it is important to cover the basics and put food on the table.
Some of the suggested options below can bring in significant income when done consistently over time;
1. You can find remote jobs that match your skill set and can be done from anywhere in the world. Check out these remote jobs and if you are tech-inclined you can check out these other remote work platforms.
2. If you have a car, you can register as a driver with Uber, Lyft, or Bolt. The work and pay are almost immediately after approval.
3. Help students study and do homework on either StudyPool or CourseHero educational platforms. The start time is immediately after approval.
4. Get quick in-person jobs at construction sites, fast food outlets, or private security outfits. You can upgrade to a more preferable job after you have some cash inflow to help fund your other application processes and also provide income while you wait to get employed in your preferred company.
5. Sell valuable items you no longer use in person or online. Be sure to meet the buyer in a public place for security reasons if you choose to make an in-person sale.
Why It Is Important To Be Financially Independent
Financial Independence represents freedom, stability, and peace of mind. When you are not financially free you become stressed and pressured to meet up with your financial obligations.
Lack of financial independence robs you of choices to live the way you want. And most importantly you forego the possibility of living your dreams and making the impact you were designed to make.
Therefore, you must be financially independent so you are healthy, productive, and free to choose the life you want. Above all financial independence gives you peace of mind.
Conclusion
Your financial circumstance is a key component of your well-being. It is therefore important to apply good money habits, sound financial principles, and self-mastery. Similarly, follow these 7 Steps To Improve Your Financial Situation. As you do that you will feel good as your financial situation improves. And your life will improve as you become more productive and prosperous.
Also, find out if you are good with money by taking this financial quiz.
Are you good with money? Take this free quiz, to find out.
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