Your New Year's Resolution for 2009? No New Year's Resolutions! Instead of making promises, make small changes now that can add up to bigger changes later.
Get Organized
Go through closets and drawers right now. Throw away anything that binds, pinches or is just plain uncomfortable. Life is too short for panties you have to pull at all day. Do yourself a favor and decide right now that you will dress for comfort. When you spend the day looking forward to taking your clothes or shoes off, you are probably wasting energy and creativity that you can use to make your life soar.
While you’re at it, also purge your purse. Old receipts, wrappers and the like just get in the way when you want to get right to your keys or your phone. File what you need and immediately dispose of the rest. The simple act of getting organized can boost confidence because it helps you feel prepared.
Mind Your Money
Sign up for online banking. Make bill paying easier and stress free with just a click. Most banks provide online bill paying services for free, and the convenience is unmatched. You can schedule automatic payments or pay right from the bank’s site each month. No more checks, stamps, envelopes or late payments (unless of course you don’t have the money).
Make a budget. It doesn’t matter if you prefer to call it a spending plan or financial road map; the important thing is that you put pencil to paper. Decide what must be paid (i.e. rent, mortgage, bus pass, car payment) and what you can be flexible with (cable, health club). Cut back everywhere you can. Save a cushion for emergencies, and if you owe anyone money make a repayment plan. If you don’t have all of the money, pay what you can until you have more. If you can’t pay anything right now, let your creditors know as soon as possible. Don’t dodge creditor calls, it’s too stressful and changes nothing.
Take Care of Yourself
Schedule your annual physical health check-up now. Be and feel your best by doing what you can to stay healthy. If you don’t have health insurance, contact your local health department or United Way for information on low or no cost healthcare. Don’t wait.
While you’re at it, make an appointment with the dentist, too. The American Dental Association has identified an association between periodontal disease and heart attacks, “subjects under 55 with markers for periodontal disease showed a two- to four-times greater risk of having a heart attack...” (Study links gum disease, heart attack risk, independent of smoking; ADA.org). Protect your physical health, and maybe even prolong your life, by taking care of your dental health. More time living means more time for making life dreams come true.
Live Your Best Life
Make a personal mission statement. Steven Covey calls these statements “…the basis for making major, life directing decisions…” Spending time writing and refining your personal mission statement can help you get clear about what is important to you, how you want to impact the world and the people in your life. Your mission statement can mean the difference between a life lived haphazardly or with contented purpose.
Don’t worry about what you’ve gotten wrong in the past or how many times you’ve broken promises to yourself before. Instead, focus on small changes you can make now. As Sark has said, “Rocks remind us that growth and change can be microscopic and result in something solid.”
Barbara Gibson - Parenting is a joy and a challenge. Each day I learn something new about myself. I also grow in understanding and appreciation of my own ...
