New Year's Resolution: Do I have to?

"Hindi na ako gagawa ng New Year's Resolution dahil hindi ko naman natutupad."

"Fad lang naman ang paggawa ng New Year's Resolution."

Is it really?

Day 1 of 2020. Happy New Year! I hope we were all feeling recharged and rejuvenated this holiday season enough to power us through this new beginning. So we all have our planners ready, but what is there to write? Were you also one of those who had the same sentiments as above? Did you also felt hopeless that you are constantly identifying what you wanted to achieve or change every start of the year but ends up not being able to accomplish it come December? I am also guilty of this before until I went into a full adulting mode specifically prior getting married. Sometimes, all we really need is to recognize our most important "why" - the reason for everything we do in order for us to take time and align our goals with appropriate actions.

THE NEED

The truth of the matter is, we all need resolutions. Not just to join a bandwagon, but because this will guide us in reaching our personal goals. Let me share with you a lesson I learned from one of Arriane Serrafico's online class that I have attended about goal-setting. (I am a sucker for her self help, online and free classes! You should try one too!) Why not instead of writing a list of what you wanted to do, start with thinking of a main theme? For example, I have identified mine to be AUDACITY. It just means that I am already attracting that this will be the year that I will be more proactive in taking on new roles and responsibilities outside of my comfort zone. I will make it a point to try things I have never done before with the endpoint that this will all be for a better me - as an individual and as a wife. You can try having "FIT and FAB" as a theme if you want to prioritize being and looking healthy. This main theme will be the umbrella of all your activities that will eventually land you closer or to your goals.

PUT IT IN BLACK AND WHITE

After deciding for that one theme, comes the fun task of writing a list of what you want to achieve. This is where it really gets exciting because this is the same with identifying New Year resolutions. We all know how to do this right? For me, a good goal is 3-5. I think having less than three is a bit laid back for a duration of 12 months while more than five is too many that you may not have a room for other important and unforeseen events. The important takeaway here is to just jot it down. Document it in a manner you are comfortable. Search for photo inspirations and make a dream board. Place it in an area where you can always see and access it. So in the coming months that you are feeling lost, you can look for it, review it and tell yourself that these are the reasons why you're doing what you're doing. As Dave Ramsey said, "Goals that are not WRITTEN are not goals, they are wishes that will never happen. WRITE it down!"

BONUS: MAKE IT MORE SPECIFIC

For some, completing these two is a good start. But if you really want to make sure that you'll be able to monitor your progress, I recommend adding a checklist or specific activities under each of your identified goals. Sounds complicated? For better understanding, below is an example that can serve as a pattern in crafting yours:

2020 theme: FIT and FAB

Goal #1: Lose 20kg by December 31, 2020

• Run three times a week
• Make a meal plan every Saturdays for the following week
• Register to other fitness program after every 2 months (i.e., gym, zumba, boxing)
• Make an everyday count of meal intakes

Yes, it is tedious and requires time and effort. But I seriously think that success stories comes from a well laid out plan. Even in an unforeseen circumstance is a background story of sleepless nights and repeated analysis of whats, whens and hows. All things worth having is really never through a shiny and smooth pavement. It always comes with a price which is often a huge amount of sacrifice, we should all know that by now. Do you really have to have a New Year's Resolution? If you ask me, YES PLEASE! Rename it to "Achieving my goals for 2020" if you feel uncomfortable. But never ever lose that spark of dreaming and planning just because other people are telling you otherwise. Happy planning!

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Hi, I am Iselle Dino and I am a licensed financial advisor from PRU Life UK. Whether you're a newbie or an experienced insured investor, I can assist you in crafting your own personal financial goals. Feel free to contact me for any inquiries. 😊💕