New Year’s Resolution a Bust?
Have you given up on your New Year's Resolution? According to Forbes, 60% of Americans make New Year's Resolutions, but only 8% stick to their goals beyond the first month. Sound familiar?
At the beginning of the year, we often feel a burst of motivation to change. However, as the months go by, motivation fades. In a world driven by instant gratification, it’s easy to give up when we don’t see big results fast enough. That’s where finding your “why” becomes crucial.
It’s simple to list out goals, but without understanding the deeper reasons behind them, those goals remain dreams- fantasy without action. So, how do you go from dreaming to making your goals a reality? So, how do you go from dreaming to making your goals a reality?
Step One: Figure Out Your Why
When I decided to do a No Spend Year, my initial reason was to save money. Which is a great reason, but it didn’t resonate enough for me to make a change. I realized I had to dig deeper by continually asking myself why.
Why did I want to save money? To gain more flexibility. Why did I want more flexibility? To achieve financial freedom. Why was financial freedom important? So that my husband and I would never feel stuck in jobs just for the paycheck. So we could shape the future we wanted, not what society says we should have. That answer carried so much more meaning for me than just “saving money”.
Finding a reason for change that aligned with my values made it easier to stay committed. Here are some other ways to help find your “why” that aligns with your values and who you want to be.
Reflect on What’s Not Working
Identify what’s holding you back. What don’t you like about the current behavior? Recognizing the problem is the first step towards making a change.
Identify Your Motivators
Shift your focus from what you want to change to why you want to change it.
What do I gain by making this change? How will it positively impact my life?
At the top of a sheet of paper write the change you want to make. Spend 10 minutes listing as many reasons as possible for why you want to make the change.
After 10 minutes, look at your list, what stands out? What resonates with you on a deep level? It might be one reason or several.
Examine Who You Want to Be and Your Core Values
Think about how this change brings you closer to the person you want to be. Ask yourself
What are my top five core values?
Am I living in alignment with these values?
How will this change help me live closer to my values?
Progress, Not Perfection
Once you find your core meaning for change, you can start setting actionable goals to make it a reality. Remember progress, not perfection.
I’m starting another No Spend Year to continue working toward financial freedom. You don’t have to wait until the New Year, a new month, or even a Monday to start again. The best time to start is now. Every attempt brings you closer to success.
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