When you look at those personal goals, they are quite easy to achieve. Going on a diet and being strict with its implementation is the most practical way to achieve physical health. Financial freedom begins with creating a budget and sticking with it.
So why do physical health and financial freedom keep getting on top of the list with each passing New Year? Are we not learning?
This may be surprising but probably physical health and financial freedom are things we simply cannot do and have. Aside from being ineffective, they may even be damaging to a person’s wellbeing because of deprivation or restriction. Resentment begins to pile up and the failure of the resolution is almost assured.
A successful New Year’s resolution is one that leaves the details behind and focuses on the larger picture. When a change of mindset occurs, a better position to succeed is achieved. Looking at the forest rather than the trees is quite simple. For physical health, expand more and then take less. For financial freedom, spend less than what you take in.
Begin to look at spending and saving in a different perspective. Healthy eating should focus on the nutrition rather than counting the calorie contents of what you eat. Whole and clean foods cooked at home are still the healthiest. Similarly, budgets should not focus on restrictions but on trends. A good financial plan anticipates surprises and is prepared for them.
Think that life just unfolds every day. Just when you begin your low-calorie diet, your officemate brings in a delicious chocolate cake for his birthday celebration. Just when you want to stick with your budget, suddenly your car breaks and would require thousands of dollars for repairs. A little hint of disappointment can spell the failure of your New Year’s resolution.
Re-evaluate your diets and budgets. Instead of focusing on the restrictions, focus on the long term goals. Be motivated with the progress that comes along the way.