Make a New Years Resolution You Will Actually Keep

Christmas has come and gone and it's the time of year when people focus on making New Year’s resolutions. Some of the most common resolutions include losing weight, exercising more regularly, eating healthy food, and doing a better job with personal finances. No matter how well intentioned they are, most new year resolutions won’t last any longer than two weeks. The reason they are so short-lived is because they are bad resolutions to begin with for a lot of reasons.
 
Making a resolution based on pressure from another person will never work.  Figure out why you want to make the change. Do you genuinely want to change? What is in your heart? How will it change your life?
 
Whether it is related to your finances or your health, be specific about why you are doing this. Is it because you think you should or because you really want to?
 
Define your resolution in a way that is meaningful to you. Use words that you like. For example, if the word “budget” scares you, use another term such as spending plan or money mojo.  If the resolution has meaning to you, then you will own it and be much more likely to actually do it.
 
Be specific and include measurable goals. For example, a resolution that's “I want to handle my finances better.” Is really vague.  You could pass up one expensive restaurant meal in the course of a year and declare victory.
 
Describe your resolution in a way that defines a specific goal, time frame and action.  The more specific you are, the more likely you will stick with your resolutions. An example of a specific resolution is: “I want to save $50 per paycheck in order to build a $500 emergency fund by June 1st.” This is measurable, actionable and has a specific time frame.
 
Change is hard and finding an accountability partner will help you succeed. If you are married, define your joint resolutions with your spouse and work together the achieve them. If you are single, find a friend or relative and share your resolutions with them, then share your progress with them throughout the year.
 
And the best way to keep those resolutions is to include God and wrap them in prayer. When you become a good steward of your finances and take responsibility for spending your money wisely, God will reward you through a sense of peace, joy and increased faith. God plays such an important role in all aspects of our life and will help guide you to get your financial house in order. If you need assistance, browse our Compass Catholic website for resources and links for spending plans and helpful hints.
 
“That you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.” - Ephesians 4:22-24
 
“Be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self..” - Such powerful words to ponder as we enter into a new year.

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