New Year’s Resolutions

With New Year’s Day fast approaching most of us will take this time to review the waning year and plan for the upcoming year. Tradition leads us to the making of New Year’s resolutions. Resolution is taken to mean the resolve to change or alter habits or actions for the better.

 A few of the more common resolutions include weight loss or improved fitness, smoking cessation, debt reduction and being more charitable. There are as many types of resolutions as there are people making them and may vary depending upon each person’s goals and dreams. The circumstance of everyday life for each individual also plays a major role in the formulation of resolutions.

 Deciding what your resolution should be is not always an easy task. It is easy enough to rehash previous resolutions that were not accomplished. But this year try a new approach. Sit down with paper and pencil and start writing. Make notes about what is going well in life and what needs work. Where are you now and where would you like to see yourself this time next year. Review what you have written and based upon your needs and desires formulate a resolution. It may be after giving thought to your life and circumstances you feel no change is needed, and if so that is fine. Don’t feel pressured by tradition to make changes you do not really want to make.

 The key to a successful New Year’s resolution is to formulate a plan. It is easy enough to resolve to lose weight, but what is needed to achieve that goal? Perhaps a meeting with a nutritionist or gym membership may be included in the plan. Even before the proclamation of the resolution have an outline of what is to be accomplished and the steps involved to reach the goal.

 The resolution has been decided upon, the plan has been written. A public proclamation may have been made at a party or gathering or the resolution is more of a private nature, whichever the case the next step is implementing the plan.  To propel the resolution to success review and follow the outline. If additional education or classes are needed get the application process underway if not already done. Sign up for the gym, make an physicians appointment, meet with a financial planner and do a thorough review of you debts. No matter what your goals have follow through on the plan, don’t just leave it to gather dust in the drawer.

 New Year’s resolutions should not just be for once a year, but should be life goals. These goals continue through-out the year. There does not need to be a special occasion or holiday to propel a person to change. What is needed are clearly defined goals, a plan of action, implementation, follow through, and constant review.  Make this year, this day and this hour all that you want it to be.