Live the life you want this year
You can do it! Your health, wealth and happiness can flourish in the New Year.
Research shows that new years’ resolutions are worthy of serious consideration—if you make resolutions, you’re 10 times more likely to change things than if you don’t[1].
But 92% of new years’ resolutions fail to be realised according to research[2]. The good news is 8% of people do go ahead to achieve their goals?so how do they do it?
Three strategies for lasting change
Whether you want to improve your health or your finances you can give yourself a good chance of success—consider these strategies.
The process of change is complex; it doesn’t usually progress in a straight line. If you slip back into old ways of doing things, just keep at it.
1. Break goals into milestones
With an overarching goal in mind—to go overseas or lose weight, for example—make a plan to achieve individual milestones throughout the year.
Say you’d like to save $10,000 for an overseas Christmas trip. You can break your goal down into specific actions:
1. Use a budget planner to work out the costs of your trip, including airfares, accommodation, food and a bit extra for good measure.
2. Establish a dedicated savings account.
3. Plot your pay days on a calendar and set-up automatic deposits for the year—say $385 each fortnight you’re paid.
4. Mark on the calendar the day you’ll have enough for your flight.
Throughout the year you can watch your savings grow and come Christmas time, you’ll be ready to pack!
2. Make goals specific and measurable
With obesity rates in Australia climbing faster than anywhere in the world[3], many of us are focusing on health and wellbeing. But a broad resolution to lose weight will not be as easy to attain as a plan to specifically avoid sugar and fast food for six weeks.
Likewise, rather than saying you’d like to go to the gym in 2015, set a clear goal like one spin class or weights session every Tuesday—and book yourself in. Once you’ve experienced the benefit of regular exercise you’ll find it easier to make time for more.
3. Don’t wait for the right time—start now
One of the biggest reasons resolutions fail is because they’re never put into action. Keeping your goals simple and measurable helps you create action plans, but putting the plan in place is one of the keys to setting up healthy new habits.
Set your start date—you may want to put a reminder in your phone—and even if you don’t feel up to it on the day, take the first step anyway. Give it a go!
The power of now.
It’s time to start thinking about the things you’d like to change. What really matters to you? You can live the life you want and begin working towards it now—it’s up to you!
At Blueprint Wealth, we offer financial advice that is right for you, no matter what stage of life you are at. Contact us today to set up a plan that is right for you.
Important note: © AMP Life Limited. This editorial provides general information and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account. It’s important to consider your particular circumstances before deciding what’s right for you. Although the information is from sources considered reliable, AMP does not guarantee that it is accurate or complete. You should not rely upon it and should seek qualified advice before making any investment decision. Except where liability under any statute cannot be excluded, AMP does not accept any liability (whether under contract, tort or otherwise) for any resulting loss or damage of the reader or any other person.
[2] Research conducted by the University of Scranton: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/louise-firth-campbell-/post_6564_b_4602842….