Don?t Wait for New Year?s to Make Resolutions

After four months have passed and the pressure of New Year?s resolutions has faded, it's a great time to pause and reflect on your life.

Most people want to change some aspect of their lives, but they often lack a concrete plan to implement that change. If you ask people a few questions about their goals and desires, many will say ?yes??but the problem isn't the questions; it's what happens after. How can we turn those ?yeses? into reality? How do we set achievable goals? The truth is, people want change, but they often lack the consistency to pursue those goals daily.

Making Attainable Resolutions

Remember, life is short. Now is the time to take control and create the life you truly want. Seeking help from professionals or mentors can give you the boost you need. You can live your best life?when you choose to take control of what?s controlling you.

Reducing Debt & Saving Money

Start with this key question:

Where can I reduce my spending?

Here?s a sample goal to pay off debt:

Case Study: Mrs. X

Mrs. X has $30,000 in credit card debt and wants to become debt-free this year. She has a full-time job, drinks 3?4 cups of coffee daily, uses SkipTheDishes a few times a month, shops without a list, and regularly shops online. She often wonders where her money is going.

Goal: I want to pay off my credit card debt by the end of the year.

Plan:

• Reduce daily coffee consumption to 1?2 cups and save the rest.
• Limit food delivery to once a month and cook at home more often.
• Always use a shopping list to avoid impulse buys.
• Plan meals weekly and shop accordingly.
• Only shop online for items that are truly needed and on the list.
• Use flyer apps to compare prices and get the best deals.
• Create a budget to track every dollar in and out?even $1 items from the dollar store.
• Add an extra $50/month toward credit card payments; any additional savings go straight to the debt.
• Save spare change in a jar and transfer $10 weekly from checking to savings automatically.
• Review your budget monthly and adjust where necessary.
• Be honest with yourself about your spending habits?and commit to your plan.

Weight Loss Goal

Here?s a sample goal focused on weight loss and a healthier lifestyle:

Case Study: Mr. J

Mr. J has always been overweight but didn?t worry much?he?s married, has three children, and a rich social life. He loves to entertain, often with food and heavy drinking. However, a recent doctor?s visit revealed a serious health issue tied to his obesity. Now, he must lose weight.

Insight:

Making a lifestyle change will likely affect your relationships. Friends and family may not like the changes you're making. But you must focus on the benefits to your health and future. If they truly care, they will understand. You don?t have to completely give up your habits?just find healthier alternatives or cut back gradually.

Tip:

Celebrate milestones along the way. Go out to dinner, but choose healthier options. Most restaurants now offer nutritious, balanced meals.

The Power of Thought and Identity

Our thoughts are shaped by many things?our environment, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, parental influence, and personal experiences. From birth, we are like empty vessels filled with influences we didn?t choose. Many people never explore their full potential because they are bound by the beliefs and expectations of those who raised them.

Caretakers, often with good intentions, can place limitations on our lives. Some parents resist their children?s desire to explore different worldviews or belief systems out of fear or tradition. But for true growth and self-awareness, we must be willing to step outside of these inherited boundaries.

To live authentically and explore your gifts, you must free yourself from cultural and societal constraints. Create your own meaning. Don?t be stuck in the mindset of, ?Everyone does it this way, so I must too.?

We live in a world of infinite possibilities and abundant knowledge. You are more powerful than you know. As Michelangelo said, ?Refuse to allow yourself to have low expectations about what you?re capable of creating.?

Mindfulness During Isolation

Isolation provides a unique opportunity to reflect and set meaningful goals. Focus on things that bring peace and joy?not anxiety or fear. While we can't control everything happening in the world, we can control how we respond to it.

If you allow fear to dominate your mind, anxiety will follow. If you choose joy and peace, your outlook will change. Practice thinking positively and expecting the best?even in difficult times. Our thoughts shape our reality, and it costs nothing to dream big.

Closing Thoughts

Start today.

Don?t wait for January 1st.

The best time to make a resolution is when you?re ready to change?and that could be right now.