Have you given up on making New Year’s financial resolutions, because they never last? Or maybe they seem too big or impossible to accomplish?
Success rates of New Year’s resolutions usually go along beautifully the first two weeks, but by February people start backsliding. By the following December, most people are back where they started and are often even further behind. Half of all people make a New Year’s resolution like get out of debt, lose weight, volunteer, quit smoking, etc., yet only 8% of them are successful at making these resolutions a reality.
Here are some simple steps to help you make progress and create lasting financial results:
Shift your paradigm. Don’t set resolutions because your mind will see them as temporary and therefore not worth working on. Instead set meaningful financial goals, the important word is meaningful!
Identify the long-term gain you are striving for, and why it is important for you to attain it.
Set goals you believe you can keep. It’s about what you want to do, not what you should do.
Break down large goals into small step goals to help you progress.
Identify what behaviors you need to change to meet your goals. Work on changing one behavior at a time.
Talk about your financial goals and ask for support.
Give yourself appropriate time to accomplish your goals. Stop beating yourself up!
Celebrate all small victories. The compound effect creates the big results.
As you work on your meaningful goals, always consider:
• Who depends on you to attain your goals?
• How will you feel once you’ve accomplished them?
• How would you feel if you don’t accomplish them?
You must connect emotionally with your goals and the results you want to attain. This connection will empower you and give you more energy and determination to face the inevitable obstacles that will get in your way.
Remember how powerful your mind is. Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right. So, choose carefully.
