Is
the resolution working? Then try this.
They
say the percentage of people who achieve their resolutions are about 8%. You may be thinking this is going to be one
of those blogs that will fire me up to work harder to achieve my resolutions or
one that reminds me that I have failed once again. I can throw out statistics
that say if you do A+B=C every time (yeah sure it does, NOT) you will do better. We have been smothered with work harder, do
more, do it better, that when we fail we say, well I guess I am just can’t
change. Well we do know if we quit we do
not have to measure up to everyone else that seems to be succeeding. One reason I love the gospel is that I was not
good enough, and Jesus fixed that problem for me! No more having to do
better, I get to do better! You don’t
have to do better at whatever your resolution is, but you get to do better if
you want. Don’t compare your problem,
your progress or your success to someone else.
We all move at different speeds and handle things differently. If you have ever taken a DISC
profile you
know that we have different personalities, and react differently in life
situations. One of the animals they use to describe different personality types
is a lion for the strong type A personalities.
For the more stable and lower keyed faithful types they use a golden
retriever. We all know that a lion and a
retriever will react differently and handle things differently. Neither personality type is wrong, they are
just different. We need all the different types in our lives!
So
what should you try? Whatever your
resolution is write it down and create steps, baby steps, to achieve it. Don’t make it to large, such as I am going to
get my finances straight. That is very broad because you are dealing with,
saving, spending, getting out of debt, paying off the mortgage, retirement,
college etc. That can overwhelm you when
the Christmas bill comes in and it will make you want to quit on your
resolution. Start in one area, if all
of the areas overwhelm you. Start with just a budget. Write down everything you
will spend and try to trim those numbers. The big thing is to try and stick to
the number you determine to spend and track it. A budget takes about 3 months
to begin to work right, so stick to it. Make sure you spend what you save
wisely, savings or applying it to debt. Sit down at least once a week and see how much
you have actually spent vs. what you have written down. Depending on your personality, you can either
live on the bare necessities or trim things slowly but surely. The more you sacrifice the faster you reach
your goal. But if you don’t like the idea of going too fast you may sabotage
yourself and quit before it works. Go at
a speed you can handle. You did not get into
the financial shape you are in overnight and you will not get out
overnight. Be patient and take one step
at a time. Let me know if you want my
help.
Tim West
Go West Coaching 1-11-14
