It's true, 90% of the world's richest people became rich through property. But did you also know that it doesn't take an advanced degree, millions in the bank or a super high IQ.

NO, what separates the rich form the poor, is understanding how to set and achieve your financial goals.

ANYONE who can understand money and how to make it work for them, rather than them working for it, can become financially independent within 5 years.

Finding the time It is often said that we live in a world where "the richer keep getting richer and the poorer keep getting poorer". To some extent this is true, but there is no time like now where people with the right information and skill can change their predicament

Here is a question for you? Have you ever wondered why you are always working and never seem to have enough money?

So how do you find the time?

Let's have a look at some of the things that really takes up a lot of our time:

1- Watching TV.

2- Do less work and overtime

3- Plan your time more carefully.

Surveys show that after work and sleep, watching TV is the third main use of people's time.

What with the age of retirement continuing to rise and then pensions not being large enough for out retirements, people are increasingly thinking more and more about securing their financial future.

You owe it to yourself and your family.

Setting goals

Lets imagine that two people are driving somewhere they have never been before.

The first driver sets off straight away as fast as he can.

The second driver first spends some time looking at a map and deciding on the best route to go.

Which driver do you think will get there quicker and easier?

This is exactly the same way with property investment. In order for be successful you have to declare where you are heading and set your targets.

Goals are important for many reasons:

1.They call you to action. 2.They help you make choices. Go for some things and reject others. 3.They introduce accountability. 4.They motivate you. 5.They increase your confidence to get you where you want to be.

When setting your own goals be honest with yourself. A great tip is to write them down on paper and refer to them. It's a proven fact that those with written goals perform better than those without.

A goal is a tangible result that is unambiguous and measurable. Let's use the example of Thomas Edison

2- Thomas Edison was one of the most brilliant inventors and scientists that ever lived. He did not get up every morning thinking "I will invest something". No. Instead he woke up every morning with the goal of "making the world a better place for all". Each day he did this and during his life he created hundreds of invention, including the electric light bulb.

Let have a look at some goals that some people might use: "I want to own 50 properties as soon as possible" -that's not a goal.

"I want 3,000,000 in my hank account by December 31, 2007" -- now, that's a goal!

Set yourself a clear, measurable goal now.

Then break it up into smaller, more manageable tasks so you know exactly what you need to do in order to achieve it.

Deciding on your strategy

Goals are WHAT you want. Strategy is HOW to get them

Here are some of the questions you need to be asking yourself when setting your strategy.

1.Have I got my goals clear?

2.Has someone I know double checked that my goals are realistic and properly set out and written down?

3.How much do I need to make financially to hit my yearly goals? Break down your overall goal into smaller chunks..

4.What kind of property investment meets my risk profile?

5.What kind of property investments are going to help me reach my goals?

6.Property investments I can choose from include off-plans; buy-to-let; renovations;

7.How much time do I have on a weekly basis to make my goals happen?

8.To whom am I accountable for reaching my weekly and monthly goals?

9.What reading and researching do I need to do each week?

10.What support do I need to buy in or nurture such as accountants, lawyers, finders, lenders and brokers? Have I prepared a budget and a business plan?

Once you have set your goals, review them every 2 weeks or so to see if you are going. To achieve them or not.

Good financial ground work

If you are managing your personal finances badly to start with, getting involved with property will not help.

Manage your property accounts and personal accounts separately. Use separate bank accounts.

If your personal income is subsidising your property income or vice versa, be clear about how much and in which direction the money is flowing. You need to have a firm grasp on your finances to prevent problems

The simple answer that will solve all your money problems is to spend less than you earn and invest the difference!

Summary

Make time for your financial freedom. It's well worth it. You will be surprised to find that securing your financial future can be done in less than 10 hours a week. Consider that this is less than a third of the time that the average adult watches TV each week.

Make goals that you are happy with and create a strategy to show how you are going to achieve it.

As a famous philosopher once said "procrastination of the thief of time". Start now, save more and plan each step carefully and check.

And in a few years time, your financial future will be secured.