Something must be wrong with making resolutions. Do you feel it too?
I understand the concept of New Year’s resolutions, and it’s a good concept. However, there must be something ineffective about setting a new resolution every January 1st. At my age if I had set a single new resolution every year and it worked, my life would be overflowing with activity/actions. I would eventually be Superman.
To be honest I set a resolve to lose weight in December 2017 – and 2016, 2014, 2012…
On a positive note, I set a goal to never drink a soda (diet or regular) two years ago in February. I set a resolve to ride my bike 17 years ago (22,000 miles and counting). I resolved in my early 20s to always save 10% of my income and to give another 10% to charity.
My best and most rewarding resolutions came when I was determined to make a change. There’s nothing magical about January 1st, except that I might feel compelled to try something new because it’s what you’re supposed to do. Unless I’m really understanding why I want to change, the odds are I won’t stick with it.
To me I desire consistency in my life: good habits, simple habits applied day in and day out over the long term. Starting and failing does me no good; in fact it frustrates me. I have to wait until my mental state is ready to make real changes.
Financial success comes in the same way: consistent disciplines practiced over a lifetime. It’s also true that it is never too late to improve your situation, but don’t try and do everything at once, especially if you are not ready. When you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, resolve to make real change in your life regardless of the date on the calendar.
When you click the following link to another blog on our website, you’ll find a list of financial disciplines that we promote.
Read through the list and find something in your life that is ready to be improved, something you can resolve to change for the better.
Here is some full disclosure: This year I resolve to lose weight…wait…a better resolution is that my goal is to eat “clean,” i.e. more fresh fruits, vegetables and lean meats all in proper portion size. I will record my eating to make sure I’m hitting my daily intake goals, with no more mindless snacking. Maybe my energy will improve so I can ride my bike more, and as a result I might also lose weight. You can hold me accountable.
Call us if we can help you with healthy financial habits in your life.
Wishing you a successful 2018,
Ron Dickinson, CPA, CFP®, MPA-Tax
[Financial Planning and Investment Management Services offered through Dickinson Investment Advisors, Registered Investment Advisor. Statistics and market information provided by Litman Gregory Advisor Intelligence.]
