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James Clear: Forget Your Goals, Focus on Systems

Please Note: This episode is a re-run. The original air-date was on December 5, 2019. 😊     

Building on from Episode 482, where we explored why progress tracking is key to healthy financial habit formation, we’re bringing back an old episode where we uncover… 

The 4-step framework from James Clear on how to build good habits and break bad ones – for good!  

For those unfamiliar with this best-selling author of Atomic Habits, James applies a unique blend of scientific research and practical life to breaking and building habits. His website receives millions of visitors each month, and he is a regular speaker at Fortune 500 companies.  

We’ll explore his distinctive perspective on habit-building, decision-making and continuous improvement from creating environmental design to the “scaling down” strategy.  

It’s an episode about creating lasting behaviours, overcoming setbacks and what encompasses true behavioural change. Tune in now!

 

Free Stuff Mentioned

  • Make Money Simple Again: Download our best-selling book that breaks down our MoneySMARTS money management system for FREE here >>    
  • Moorr App: Check out our money management platform (available on Desktop and Mobile) that automates the system from Make Money Simple AgainCreate your free account or login >>  

 

Additional Resources

Timestamps

  • 0:00 – James Clear: Forget Your Goals, Focus on Systems    
  • 3:56 – Welcome James!  
  • 5:44 – His backstory… 
  • 10:40 – Why focus on daily habits?  
  • 12:58 – The downsides to goal setting 
  • 15:03 – Why systems always trump goals  
  • 16:49 – How habit formation and MoneySMARTS relate 
  • 18:10 Scaling Down: How to sustain good habits  
  • 20:05 – Why does the entry point matter more than the end?  
  • 21:27 – What is true behaviour change? 
  • 23:58 – What common habits can you move the needle on quickly? 
  • 26:36 – The 4-step Framework to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones 
  • 31:51 – Environment design: Why it matters!  
  • 34:33 – Why you need to Master the Art of Delayed Gratification 
  • 36:32 – What is The Valley of Death? (And how do you get through it?) 
  • 38:00 – GOLD! 
  • 43:10 – What does James recommend? 
  • 44:33 – How does James get so much done?? 
  • 48:32 – How to deal with disappointment and setbacks  
  • 52:04 – James’ book recommendations 

 

338 | Going Ape S#!t: How To Hack Your Brain To Make More Money – Chat with Phil Slade

What if we told you there’s a hidden part of your brain that controls your financial decisions… even if you believe you’re the one calling the shots!?!

Folks, today we have a very exciting episode in store for you (Ben’s in his absolute element!) that’s about to reveal how to hack your brain to make you more money!

Here’s the reality… despite our best intentions, we DON’T make decisions out of spreadsheets – we make decisions out of emotions!

And this is where Behavioural Economics comes in.

That is: the study of the “how and why” behind our financial and property choices. The “Oh, yeah, I’m actually a human!” stuff that deeply influences our choices and the economy at large.

Fun Fact: This is the EXACT same study we used to make the correct judgement call way back in March last year (when COVID panic was at its peak!) that the property market was NOT going to fall off a cliff despite the scary economic predictions out there.

… And it ALL comes down to understanding human behaviour!

Joining us today is Behavioural Economist and Psychologist Phil Slade – the author of “Going Ape S#!t” , Founder of Decida and regular contributor to Money Magazine.

Phil makes neuroscience simple, interesting and FUN by highlighting irrational ‘blind-spots’, increasing awareness of cognitive biases that influence perception and behaviour, and inspiring people to become less reactive, and more responsive!

And he’s going to fill you in on a little thing called “The Ape Brain” and how you can tame it with a simple framework that’ll get you making better financial decisions, winning at auction (or walking away so you don’t pay too much!) and delaying gratification in a way that doesn’t trigger dread or make you feel like you’re missing out in the present moment.

Strap yourselves in folks — ‘cos no word of a lie: nail this, and you’re pretty much set for life. (Money is Simple… Behaviour is Hard, right!?!)

 

Free Stuff & Resources Mentioned 

 

Here’s what we cover…

  • What factors are studied in Behavioural Economics?
  • Behavioural Economics vs Classical Economic Theory (note: don’t stress, this is a palatable explanation 😉)
  • How much of the population applies this stuff to their decision making around finance?
  • How did Phil get into this field, anyway?
  • 3 Simple Ways To Apply Behavioural Economics To Your Finances!
  • How much of your income should you save?
  • What is Cognitive Bias and how does this shape your relationship to money
  • How To Tame Your Ape Brain So It Doesn’t Steal Your Money!
  • What’s the #1 Killer Of Financial Independence!?!
  • Why does the gap between your “Real Self” and “Presentational Self” have such a significant impact on your choices?
  • Why is Afterpay so dangerous!?!
  • Who are Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman? (And why should you care about them!?!)
  • The Dunedin experiment: What it teaches us about human behaviour!
  • Is all emotion BAD?
  • Practical Application For Property Investors!
  • How can you tame your ape in an auction environment?
  • What is “Loss Aversion” & “Endowment”?
  • Right… how can we HACK our brain to make us more money!?!

 

 

269 | Gamifying The Race To Retirement: Granny Flats, A Garage Full of Cars, And An Ex-Seller of House & Land Packages – Chat with Athena Anca

Put your hand up if you want to fast-track to the day when you can choose whether to go to work or not? Okay. Hands down. Most folks — probably early morning on a Monday when the alarm goes off — have thought it’d be nice to have the option to roll back over… or simply get out of bed and have the whole day to do whatever you want, without worrying about where the money’s going to come from.

So that’s why today’s guest is gamifying the race to retirement — that is: she’s turning money management into a game… a fun competition where her and her partner are trying to beat how much surplus they can trap… and how fast they can race to retirement!

BUT, as all “real life” stories go, this one’s a bit more layered than that. In fact, it’s WAY more layered….

Because, for one thing, Athena Anca — the FINAL “everyday investor” who has put their knowledge into action and is tying up our 2019-2018 Summer Series — wasn’t always like this.

What’s most interesting is Athena actually used to SELL House & Land Packages! … And she and her partner Jason BOUGHT one as their first property!! Sure, now they’re investing in granny flats and planning for their dream home with a garage full of super cars, BUT…….

Guess what??? This actually is isn’t the first time Athena’s been on The Property Couch! If you circle back to mid-last year (Episode 236), Bryce actually read out an Instagram message from Athena….

 

Our first property decision was a setback in disguise. In 2016 we bought a house and land package based on first home buyer incentives that weren’t in line with our goals. Cue Bryce and Ben….
One episode at a time we learnt the difference between Investment Stock and Investment Grade, became my familiar with the lending landscape and finally channeled our discipline into managing money rather than it managing us. I only mind a little bit that our friends think we’re tight-arses! We became borderless investors and this year added our third property to our portfolio…”
– Athena on Instagram, Read out in Episode 236

 

Free Resources Mentioned:

 

Episode Breakdown

01:53 – The Money Backstory!
07:20 – How did Athena manage her money before she met Jason?
14:50 – The “tight-arse” money moments!
16:28Why invest in property?
16:58 – Gamifying the race to retirement…
18:28 – How had they set up their lending?
19:53 – Why didn’t they buy a house and land package again?
21:42 – Investing for Yield: Is a Granny Flat a Good Strategy?
23:10 – The “Super Car” story!
23:51 – What was it like selling House and Land Properties??
25:18 – The House and Land Sales Spiel…
30:21 – How much are the granny flats? How many beds, etc?
31:25 – … and the rent return for the granny flat?
32:37 Pros and Cons of Granny Flats
33:15 – The Plan
35:20 – Athena’s advice for YOU….
35:44The Mindset Tips: How to overcome analysis paralysis
40:52 – Are they still tracking ever single dollar with Money SMARTS?
41:11 – What do they do differently with their 7 day float?
41:38 – How far ahead are they on their money target?

 

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268 | From Fear of Property Investing to Three Properties By 29 – Chat with James

When James McLellan was a kid, money was an issue. To the point that it ultimately resulted in his parents’ separation.

You see, today’s guest grew up in a small country town of about 1,200 people — and ever since he can remember, money was a stressor. To make matters worse, his mum tried her hand at investing, choosing to self-manage her property, which unfortunately was tenanted by folks who had money problems of their own. The result? Even more pressure on the family finances. So not only was money tough, but also James was left believing that property investing was something to fear…

But wanting to overcome his money back story, James made it his mission to work hard — committing to his first job at just 13 years old where he cleaned out the diesel pits at a mechanic for $5 an hour every Saturday morning.

And even though he was scared of investing, he knew that if he wanted to move the dial on his own wealth, he’d have to take the plunge. So he kept working worked hard, and at 22, while still at uni, he saved enough for his first property…. A 2 bedroom unit in Albury-Wodonga for $170,000…

And now? Well, as well as having THREE properties to his name and overcoming his fear of property investing, as you’re about to hear, he’s walking proof that just because you come from a background where money was tough… it doesn’t mean you’re stuck for life! And James was able to show once and for all that this can be accomplished…  even at 29 years old!

 

Free Resources:

 

Episode Breakdown:

01:50 – Why was money an issue growing up?
03:35Lessons learnt from self-managing an investment property
04:05 – How much is his 1st property?
06:20 – Does James value money differently considering his backstory?
08:15An insider’s view of attending a Spruiker seminar!
10:26 – Why do you need to be careful of “instant equity”?
11:15 – How did James avoid the Spruiker’s sale pitch?
14:59 – The 2nd  property
16:23Is it worthwhile using a Buyers Agent?
18:15 – Why did James find a strategic investment Plan useful?
20:28 – When did he get this Plan & where is he at now?
25:30 – When money was tough…
26:56How do you plan for kids and a passive income?
30:15 – What’s the best tip he learnt from The Property Couch?
32:29 – James’s personal advice for listeners
33:38How to Spot a Property Spruiker
36:15 – 5 top things James wants property investors to know now

 

 

 

267 | The Unorthodox Twist To The Money SMARTS System & Why It STILL Works – Chat with Brendan

“I needed to set something up so it’s essentially on autopilot and I’m protected from myself.”

Brendan Gale and his partner Marrissa have an unusual way of running our Money SMARTS system that we think is pretty cool. At first, this unorthodox twist made us go “Woah, what?!” and we kinda struggled to wrap our heads around it (we’re old school, folks)! But as you’re about to hear…. this surprise twist to the Money SMARTS system STILL works… and they’re trapping more surplus than ever before (just like they would if they were running it our ol’ simple way.)

Even better? Since running their “version” of Money SMARTS, they were able to….

  1. Afford their dream wedding in the Greek Islands (yep! Not a cheap affair folks — and there’s a bit of story about an unexpected cost that came up here, eek!)
  2. Invest in property
  3. And still have their own cash to spend!!

 

And the craziest thing is of all?? Before all this… Brendan was living paycheck-to-paycheck!

So if you want to hear from someone who has been running Money SMARTS for some time now… and you’re curious to hear about the spin they’ve put on it, which might actually work for you… then hit play on another great ep from our Summer Series 😉

Pssst…. yes, they’ve got the same name… but today’s guest is NOT the Richmond Football Club President, ha!

 

Free Resources:

 

Episode Breakdown:

 

Keen to Get Started with Money SMARTS like Brendan?

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Acted on your knowledge learnt on The Property Couch just like Brendan has? Let us know here!

P.S. Haven’t got your FREE PHYSICAL COPY of The Armchair Guide to Property Investing yet?? Get it here (just pay shipping + handling)

 

 

 

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