New Years Resolutions

By Luke Dawson

Are you planning on making resolutions this year? This popular tradition tends to quickly hit the backburner. According to The Entrepreneur, “statistics show that only 9.2 percent of people ever achieve their New Year’s resolution goal.” Here are some tips to make sure you don’t fall of the wagon and maintain focus on your goals.

Form a plan.
One of the easiest ways to fall off the wagon for your resolution is to not have a plan. The plan can start off simple, but it is essential to have a plan. Write it down, with steps to obtain each goal. Ideally, you want to have this plan set before New Year’s, so you can start on January 1st with full confidence.

Keep notes.
Track where you are in your goals. It is a real confidence booster when you look back and see where you started. For example, if your goal is to save more money, keep track of how much money you have already set aside and compare to how much you planned to save. Once you are a month in on your plan, you can see the progress and see if you need to adjust.

Timeliness.
Set a time frame for reaching certain parts of your goal. This ties into setting the plan. Setting a certain date to hit a portion of the goal can be a way to measure how well you are progressing towards your goals. Additionally, it will keep you on track to hit and not lose hope of achieving your goals. Use a calendar to keep up-to-date with your goals.

Set realistic goals.
It is very easy to get discouraged when your goal isn’t obtainable. Sometimes we get ahead of ourselves and set insane goals. Instead, try setting goals that will help you reach the overall goal.

Use Technology.
It is easy to get distracted by a busy schedule. However, most of us carry a smartphone with us nearly all day. We can use these smartphones to stay connected and help us reach our New Year’s resolutions. There are many apps you can download to your smartphone that will send reminders to you. With a little research, you can find an app that meets your needs and can help you achieve your goals.

Social Media.
If you have a social media account, you can join groups and follow pages related to your goal. Additionally, there are many podcasts available to learn more about your goals. Having exposure to new information about your goals will help motivate you to stay on track.

Reward yourself.
Just as important as working towards your goals, it is important to treat yourself as something to look forward to. If your goal is to eat heathier, indulge in a “cheat meal” once a week. Depriving yourself from something you enjoy will make the process unenjoyable. Additionally, it will give you something to look forward to after a week of keeping to your plan.

These are just a handful of tips to stay on track with your New Year’s resolutions. Don’t get discouraged if you slip on the path. Keep your chin up and meet yourself where you are at if and when you slip – get back up and go! If you have other tips, please share with us.

Good luck and Happy 2020!

Luke Dawson | Staff Accountant
LDawson@MHCScpa.com