A lighthearted look at an example of Leadership and the 'Second Follower'. The video quality is not great, however we think the leadership message rings loud and true.

While some of us love to lead, other's prefer to stay out of the spotlight, happily preferring the lead of others.

Regardless of your preference, we are each individually responsible to lead our personal financial circumstances. How we use debt, spend money, earn income and invest all reflect to which extent we've embraced our personal financial leadership.

It's very difficult to be an effective financial leader when you're not crystal clear of what 's going on financially in your household. Our budget planner can assist with this, as can many of our other calculators.

Time flies by so quickly.

With Google playing such a large part of many people's lifes. Take a moment to watch some of the major events of 2011. Titled - Spirit of Times, 2011.

There are now 7 billion people on earth. There have been some dramatic natural events, political events and success.

What will 2012 hold?

It's not too late to make some resolutions.

Why don't you try something new for 30 days.

Steve Jobs has made his significant mark on the world, he imparts some important lessons in his famous Standford University address.

One of the main contributors towards your financial success and wellbeing is the habits and behaviour you have developed around money.

Similarly, some are so focused on saving every cent that they forego adequate and appropriate insurance, or go years without putting a will in place, even where there are young children dependent on the health and survival of Mum and Dad.

On the flipside, there are many who struggle from payday to payday, unaware of the money that could be slipping through the fingers. If this is you, take five minutes to complete the budget planner. You may not stick to it, but it will get you thinking a bit differently.

In saying that, times can be financially tough throughout different stages of life, and it's in these difficult times that we discover whether the habits we have developed are strong or weak ones. If there is something that you would like to change, but have been putting off, let this video about tying shoelaces be your encouragement to make little changes.

Here are some things you could try out over the next 30 days which can be good for your wallet and good for your health.

1. Replace a cup of coffee or softdrink with a glass of water

2. Walk or ride to work instead of driving

3. Go to the park or beach for a walk or run instead of hitting the gym

4. Sell something on ebay or in a traders magazine

5. Swap one sugary treat at the supermarket for a piece of fruit

6. Stick a coin in a piggy bank once a day

7. Use Skype to chat instead of your telephone

If none of these do it for you, why not set yourself a 30 day challenge. You may just surprise yourself with what you can achieve. In saying that, there is a lot to be said for small steps, as explained in this article. 

Richard St. John is a self-described average guy who found success doing what he loved - researching the lessons of success and distilling them into 8 words, 3 minutes and one successful book.

When you capture these eight traits and bring them to business, work, and personal finance, you are bound to achieve.

What do you want to achieve? It is important you get clear on what you want, what you are passionate about, and what success means to you.

With this in mind, mind your focus, remember to serve, practice and persist.

By all means push, but remember, sometimes a different way is easier. So if you feel like you need a different perspective, a new idea, ask.

While Bobby’s movements are aligned to our unconscious expectations, we can hum along. But when he surprises us, we are forced into an unconscious reaction. When the surprise is not threatening, we laugh. However, when the surprise is considered threatening, we typically react defensively using denial, anger, withdrawal or some other protective technique.

When it comes to money, a poor investment performance, over-spending, loss of a job, are all events that may come as a surprise and feel threatening, and fairly so. What’s more important though is to keep cool when the unexpected arrives, and use it as an opportunity to discuss expectations and determine if your expectations were reasonable in the first place. For example, expecting an Owl to swim like a Dolphin will leave you dissapointed!