A growing trend has emerged in recent years, I like to call it resolution shaming. Tomorrow is January 1st, the start of a brand new year and many will use the turning of the calendar as an opportunity to put the past behind them and begin working on new financial goals. In response, others will mock resolutions makers because many will abandon their goals within days or weeks. I say screw ’em. January 1st is the perfect time to begin working on a new financial goal.
Why You Should Make A New Year Resolution
- One thing that sets humans apart from the rest of the animal kingdom is the desire to better themselves. Setting and working towards a goal makes you human. Congratulations.
- What happens if you set a financial goal and you actually accomplish it? What if you accomplish 50% of it? Welcome to a better life.
- You can always reset and try again. While January 1st is a great time to start working on a new goal, you can try again at anytime. The only time you truly fail is if you give up forever.
How To Stick With Your Resolution
If you make a resolution to work on bettering your finances in the new year (and you should!) here are some tips to give you the best chance of achieving your goal:
- Stretch yourself. Your dream should be achievable and realistic, but it should also challenge yourself. Don’t set a goal (or redefine it along the way) just so you can check a box. The point here is to improve your life, make your goal reflective of that.
- Don’t expect perfection. You will make mistakes, tell yourself that right now. It’s OK. Consistency is the key, and if you have more good days than bad you will make steady progress.
- Make It Personal. Write down the reason you want to accomplish your goal. Document how your life will be better, and look at every morning when you wake up.
- Meditate. I don’t mean sit on the floor with your legs crossed, your hands in front of you pressed together while you rhythmically chant. Before you go to bed, or when you first wake up, or just sitting on the couch during a commercial break. Close your eyes and envision yourself and your life with your goal accomplished. The first step in achieving anything is seeing you do it. You have to believe you do can it.
The start of a new year is the perfect time to start working on a new goal. Call it a goal, a lifestyle change, or a resolution. Whatever you call it, it belongs to you and nobody else. It’s your life, feel free to work on making it the best life possible.
How about you, EOD Nation, do you have a new year’s resolution?
