How do you define joy? I’m talking about unconditional joy, not event-driven joy. This is the joy that our minds and hearts create naturally, independent of our circumstances. Joy is personal enough that no single description fits everyone, but this is my favorite definition: Joy is the lack of worry about the past or the future.

So the question becomes what lessens worry? 

Structure. 

Structure is a catalyst for financial success. It also reduces worry and invites joy!

Five Ways to Build Financial Structure

• Make a Commitment: Unless medically necessary, I will wait __ days to purchase anything over $__. You fill in the blanks here, but many people I know have saved their finances and their marriages by establishing this kind of structure.
• Look Less Often: Review your investment or retirement accounts only once per month or quarter. In general, people who look at their accounts daily perceive more risk, make more rash decisions, and accumulate less money for financial independence. You can lower your anxiety by asking an independent financial advisor to create an allocation structure informed by your financial plan.
• Automate Your Saving: Save money through your 401(k) plan, a Roth IRA, or a regular savings account on an automated basis so you enjoy the benefits of a self-sustaining savings plan. 
• Plan Your Spending: Create an intentional spending plan (with approximate numbers) for the rest of this year. Include something joyful in the plan, especially if you tend to exclude that category. Naming joy as a category shifts it from something leftover, optional, or even shameful, to something important for your well-being. 
• Plan Your Giving: Studies show that we feel more joy from giving than from receiving. To build structure here, give intentionally rather than impulsively or on-demand. Decide how much you'll set aside as your ‘giving fund’ this year, then name your categories and give each one a percentage. For example: “From my giving fund, I’m going to donate 25% to the environment, 25% to education, 25% to the arts, and 25% to disaster relief and/or unexpected ‘asks’.” Giving this way promotes joy, and the structure decreases your stress when a charity or person asks you for money. You either have it to give or you don’t, so it’s easier to say Yes or No.

These structures, unexpectedly, give us more vigor to engage with our finances confidently.

Start by picking one of these structures, and put it in place next month, then let me know what you notice. Real estate agents say a great house is about location, location, location! To flourish with your finances, focus on structure, structure, structure!