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Happy New Year is usually followed by, “what are your resolutions for the year?” If we don’t have any, we feel like we have somehow failed. So we scramble to come up with some classics:
“I’m going to be nicer”
“I’m going to lose weight”
“I’m going to save more”
“I’m going to spend more time with family”
“I’m going to be happier”
Typically, our responses are neither measurable nor achievable without a plan. I believe that planning and change can happen at any time, so why put it off waiting for the new year? That being said, end of year is naturally a time to reflect on the past year and prepare for the future. This article will focus on the financial side of resolutions because I’m a financial planner. These steps can, however, be used for any goal or change you wish to achieve.
Mark Twain once said, “The secret to getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and the starting on the first one.”
By Jason A. DeJean, CFO, PFP, EPC, CPCA
NEW YEAR. NEW ME!