Don’t be part of the 92%. Invest in Yourself in 2020!!!

The year is quickly coming to a close. No doubt that you’ll speed through the holidays with busy schedules, parties, shopping and wrapping and hopefully some time focused on faith, friends, and family – the reasons for the season. That also means it’s close to the time when most people look in the mirror and ask themselves “what am I going to work on in 2020?”

I recently read that 92% of people who set New Year’s goals never actually achieve them. I can’t say I’m shocked. But the number does seem high. Why do people fail so frequently to do the things they tell themselves they want to do? I have a theory. While many people are good/willing/excited to make goals and jot them down, some just don’t necessarily have a natural knack for defining them and aligning themselves in the direction they need to turn in order to chase them. Even worse, they may not have an accountability partner.

If that’s you, here’s an exercise that might help:

Pretend, tomorrow you got horrible news. You found out you only have one year to live. See what creeps into your mind.

• What would you do?
• How would you want to spend your time?
• With whom?
• What would you change about your daily routine?
• What would be your regrets?
• What do you wish you would have done differently?
• What will you immediately remove from your life, so as to not waste precious time?

It’s an interesting exercise, isn’t it. And really, it’s the root of the financial planning work we want to provide to you. When we ask what you value, what’s most important to you and what goals you have for the future, we’re trying to identity what really matters to you so that you focus on the goals and eliminate the obstacles. Yes, money and number crunching is a part of the job. But the first step is figuring out what matters and why. What are the important buckets of your life; Your family? Your friends? Your career? Your health? The church or a charity? If you’re allocating significant time and/or money to anything that isn’t a true bucket of your life, then you’re failing to execute a plan that truly aligns your values, your vision, and your wealth.

If that sounds like you, and you want to work on your plan in 2020, invest in yourself before wasting another dime elsewhere. Start this exercise. Think long and hard about your answers to all those questions. Then give us a call and let’s start the process of goal-alignment by creating a plan to try to live that new life. You may say “I can’t do that,” to which I say “why not?” You don’t need to be part of the 92% that won’t see their New Year’s resolution fall through. Because we’re the accountability partner J.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year Everyone!

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