Happy New Year!
And with that greeting, we all know it’s that time of year again—a time for making promises to ourselves and resolutions about the coming year. Many of us are faithful to the tradition, and then some of us don’t even bother (a membership of which I am a card-carrying member). But what’s this resolution-making all about?
Sometime in late December or early January, most contemplate at least one New Year’s resolution (it is a tradition, after all). Some New Year’s resolutions are goofy, but others take New Year’s resolutions very seriously. I don’t make New Year’s resolutions, but I do set goals periodically throughout the year (who doesn’t?). But, for those serious about New Year’s resolutions, wanting to turn them into a reality, here are some helpful tips.
Although usually made at some New Year’s Eve party or on January 1st, there’s no law mandating that part of the tradition: resolutions can be made toward the end of the “old” year, to as far out as, heck … March (the year’s still relatively new three months in).
If you take New Year’s resolutions seriously, this represents a chance to change something you don’t like or want to improve. Resolutions can range from losing weight to spending more time with family to getting out of debt. Don’t go with the first thought that pops up or “sounds good,” however. Think hard about what you truly want to change or improve in the year ahead.
Getting started.
First, keep it real by being realistic. Shoot for something reasonable, something attainable. Fifty pounds of weight loss in two months is improbable, impractical, and the attempt even dangerous. Reducing $75,000 of debt by year’s end, when you don’t even earn that a year, is, again, improbable and impractical, and the attempt (something likely involving criminal intent) is also dangerous. You get the idea. Think, baby steps. Shoot for losing 1-2 pounds a week or reducing a credit card balance by $2,500: both fall into the manageable arena.
Write your realistic resolution(s) down. Something about committing it to paper makes it more real (as a writer, I’m all about that pen-to-paper groove). Place it in a “good” spot (wallet, fridge, mirror). Viewing your resolution serves as motivation.
With your realistic resolution before you, fine-tune it, break it down into those baby steps. Weight loss is a popular resolution, but something with more “tangible” results is debt reduction.
For resolutions related to getting out of debt, review your secured loans. Secured loans involve losing something if payments aren’t made (e.g. your house, car, etc.). You can work to pay your mortgage balance down by adding extra to pay down the principal. It’s also a good idea to spread the debt reduction around, “diversify.” Focus on those small but still important debts, too (e.g. nominal doctor bills). Getting rid of such “annoyances” alleviates stress—and meets your resolution because you’re reducing debt.
Keeping Perspective
The key, however, is not giving up if you don’t see results immediately. You have all year to make something happen, make a change for the better. Be patient with yourself. Accomplishing part of a goal is better than missing the mark altogether, right?
New Year’s resolutions that are thought-out, realistic, and broken into baby steps establish a natural guide to follow. The good vibes derived from accomplishing the “small stuff” can carry forward—and provide motivation and encouragement to keep it going. If you meet your goals, great. If you surpass them? Even better.
These tips aren’t strictly for New Year’s resolutions but for setting goals in general, whether it’s January or September. While I don’t make traditional New Year’s resolutions, I do set goals occasionally. Any way you look at it, resolutions or pursuing goals are chances to improve aspects of your life. And what’s the old adage: there’s always room for improvement.
Until next time, stay serif.
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