Solutions Instead of Resolutions
As the New Year begins, lots of people make resolutions. Many times, those fall by the wayside pretty quickly. We fall off the diet or whatever else we resolved to do. Instead of making resolutions, it's a good idea to set goals, identify obstacles, brainstorm ways to get rid of them, and find solutions.
Let's say you have a goal of saving money. What's standing in your way? If your obstacle is not having a budget, it's time to make one. There are plenty of apps that track spending and can assist you in sticking to it. Some possible solutions are making your coffee at home instead of hitting the Starbucks drive-through for that $7 latte every morning, packing your lunch and eating in the breakroom instead of going out (pack healthy food, and that kills two birds with one stone, sticking to the diet and saving money). If you put the $7 aside every day, that's $49 a week, or $196 a month in savings. Doesn't it seem ridiculous to spend $196 a month on drive-through coffee?
Another solution is to view your savings like any other bill that has to be paid. As soon as you get paid, transfer 10% to a savings account. If your problem is not making enough money to make ends meet, it's time to reevaluate your situation. Do you need expensive television/movie subscriptions? Are you paying for a bunch of subscriptions you really don't get your money's worth out of? Those are wants, not needs. There's nothing wrong with having wants, but if you're struggling to pay the power bill, which qualifies as a necessity, why spend money on something that isn't a necessity? Tighten your purse strings until you have some savings. Even if you need to get a temporary side gig, it's worth the piece of mind to know you're not one car repair away from being broke.
Everyone has different goals. Maybe your goal is to increase your business, reduce stress, exercise more, travel, pursue further education, or learn to do something you've always wanted to do but never made the time for. It helps to write things down in this order:
1. What is my goal?
2. What is standing in my way?
3. What action can I take to remove those obstacles?
Brainstorm. There is almost always something you can do to make your wants a reality. Remember that "someday" is not on the calendar. To borrow a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt, "Today is the oldest you've ever been, and the youngest you'll ever be again."
Whatever your goals are, there is almost always a way to make them happen, but it requires actual action. Instead of making a resolution, identify the obstacles, and find a solution.
May you have a happy and successful New Year.
Posted In:
General