Show me your budget

There are two things you can look at to figure out what a person or organisation really values: their goals, or their budget. Guess which one is more accurate?

I've read hundreds of strategies. They are usually aspirational, often beautifully designed, and very hard to argue with. There are pillars and colours, infographics, charts and multi-column tables. Oh, and the buzzwords! Wellbeing. Resilience. Sustainability. Innovation. Connection. Communities at the heart of everything we do. Not to mention the THRIVING. Everyone's thriving.

They're lovely fodder for posters, but for a reality check, you're better to read the Annual Report and see where the money went.

The same goes for your household budget. If you say you value your health, but spend more on your tyres than your teeth... you're voting with your wallet.

Nicholas Taleb says "Don’t tell me what you think, tell me what you have in your portfolio” because everyone's got great ideas but not everyone has skin in the game.

It's easy to say you'd do it if you could afford it. It's harder to admit that if you really wanted it, you'd find the money, or redirect it from something else. Compelling cases for investment get funded. Meaningful goals drive effort or sacrifice.

If you want to "reset your direction", bugger your strategy and your vision board. Get your calculator out.

Til next week,

A x

(Note: this also applies to time. Swap budget for calendar.)

Show me your budget

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