Setting Goals - Not Resolutions - For the New Year

It's the end of another year and the parties are in full swing. Everyone is celebrating the end of the year going to some of the best parties in town. The evening is spent talking about fun times, big dreams and financial success in the coming year. You and your friends are having a great time. No time like the present to celebrate like it's the end of the world!

As midnight approaches cheers are heard throughout the city. Kisses are exchanged by one and all as everyone toasts in the New Year. Resolutions are made for wealth and happiness to follow and dreams are created with the best of intentions. But in the cold hard light of day the promises are forgotten. Everyday is a struggle to survive from one paycheck to the next. What happened to the dreams?

It's time to change how you plan for the next year. No more resolutions that never happen once you have to face the days of continuing responsibility. Living on credit cards and borrowed time like most of the world, your friends and family. There just isn't enough time to think about the promises to the New Year when you are burdened with the real world.

But there is a new way to begin the year and see some of the dreams come true or at least become within your reach for the next year. No more resolutions during a party of the night before. It's easy and takes very little time and it's the smart way to reach for goals you truly want in the next 12 months. If even one becomes reality then there will be cause for celebration of the year gone by and the new year to come.

First pick a time when you can sit down. You can do this alone, with a spouse, with family or with friends. Everyone will benefit from setting the goals and seeing their dream can be within reach. But you have to start with a plan and take the first step. After that you can take the second step! With each step your list will grow shorter and your excitement will grow with anticipation of the next step.

Start with a list of the basic's. Health, finances and debt. Then expand it. As you write out your list it will give you focus of where you want to go with your future one step at a time. Add dreams and then throw in a few big dreams. Review your list often through the year and mark off each item as you accomplish it or add more. You can break your list down by year, month or dates, but post it where you can easily review it on a constant basis and even the smallest of goals reached are a bit more of the dream come true.

The following is an example list. Feel free to follow it or make your own. Post your list on the refrigerator, near your computer or above your bed. The main thing is to make the list and put it where you can see it often.

Goals for the next year: Finance:

1. Pay off largest balance on credit card.

2. Stop using at least one credit card for rest of year.

3. Pay off at least one back debt owed by end of summer.

4. Increase savings by $400.00 or start a savings and reach $400.00.

Career:

1. Improve knowledge of your chosen career or job. By reading, taking an online class or college course.

2. Change jobs! Decide on another job if you are unhappy with current job.

3. Ask for a raise or prepare and apply for a promotion.

4. Investigate and gather information for opening your own business.

Health:

1. Lose ten pounds by summer.

2. Dance, exercise or walk twice a week for ten minutes. Increase whenever possible.

3. Cut sugar intake by half within the first month.

4. Stop smoking. Start breathing!

Personal:

1. Enjoy your marriage, relationship or learn to enjoy being alone.

2. Change hair color and style.

3. Buy some new clothes and a pair of red high heels.

4. Sing more so you can smile more.

Little dreams:

1. Plan a vacation even if you can't take it this year.

2. Learn to sew, learn to paint a picture, learn to write poetry or learn to speak ten sentences in Spanish.

3. Buy a romance novel and read it.

4. Take a friend to dinner.

Big dreams:

1. Buy a new car or at least a newer car.

2. Increase saving to $15,000.

3. Buy a home.

4. Write a novel or publish a novel.

At the end of your list add little things easily within reach then just mark through them after each one. You will look forward to each items and enjoy the little things life brings you.

Little things:

Call your best friend just to say hi. Take a bubble bath. Buy a good brand of ice cream and enjoy it. Go swimming! Take a hike this summer. Buy a new plant. Buy a new picture. Give someone $20.00 just because you think they could use it. Send a funny card to someone. Go to the park and swing. Pay for a date. Learn to play one song on a keyboard. Sing to someone. Sing to yourself.

Now you have a list or goals for the New Year. Adjust according to your needs, wants and dreams. As each is accomplished mark it off the list. This will give you confidence in your ability to achieve goals and to reach for more. With goal setting your life becomes what you CAN do and not what you haven't done. At the end of the year this time you will have good reasons to celebrate and new goals to look forward to the following year. Good luck and Happy New Year! Now celebrate