IN this week’s article, I would like to address a bad habit that we all tend to have at times. In dealing with debt, it can mean the difference between failure and success. What am I referring to? I am referring to this nasty habit called “procrastination”.
“Procrastination” is defined by the dictionary as “putting off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness”. Ouch. If you are offended by this definition because it describes how you are dealing with a certain situation in your life at this moment, then you can stop reading at this point. But I have a feeling that if you are going to be honest enough with yourself, acknowledging what you have done wrong up to this point would make an excellent first step towards turning your situation around for the better.
A couple came to see me regarding their financial situation. Their home is in foreclosure and are at least 6 months behind in paying all their bills. Collectors are calling and are threatening to sue. Two months ago, when the situation was less serious than it is now, they went to see a couple of attorneys for advice on what to do. And guess what this couple decided to do right after that? (You’re not going to believe this one) They went on vacation for a month! That’s right! They told me that they had already planned this vacation a long time ago and that it was “too much work” to change their plans and re-schedule. Can you believe that? Their home is in foreclosure and they didn’t think that this was urgent enough to change their vacation plans. Now, they’ve been around for a month since they got back from vacation and are just now seeing me. The reason: They said that they just hadn’t “found the time” to take care of this situation until now.
I can understand how people sometimes get crippled with fear when facing a financial crisis and they are simply afraid to take any kind of action. But it’s another thing to continue putting off something that you need to do when you already know that by not doing anything, things can easily go from bad to downright ugly. In my work as a bankruptcy attorney over the last 10 years, I have met two kinds of people: the “whiners” and the “doers”. The whiners do nothing but complain about how bad things are. They have been to different attorneys for advice and they know exactly what they need to do. However, they simply procrastinate until their situation becomes a financial emergency. They seem oblivious to the imminent threat to their financial security. The “doers”, on the other hand, are the people who “walk the talk” and make things happen. They don’t see themselves as victims and they know that “if it’s going to be, it’s all up to me.” Ask yourself: Are you a “whiner” or a “doer”? I think only you can answer that question. Until next time.
If you are under a lot of financial stress and don’t know what to do, I’d like to help you figure out the best way to get your finances back in order again.. Call us for a free consultation at Toll-Free 1-888-752-8211. We have offices in Pasadena, Cerritos and Valencia.
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None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.