New Year-Fresh Start

Happy New Year!  Ready for 2023?  

As we face a new year, many are setting resolutions or goals for the next twelve months.  While it is good to have goals, check out the post I wrote two years ago about micro-changes that makes it easier (click here).  

Also, as you look at the next twelve months and what you want to accomplish, consider a vision board.  Vision boards don't have to be big, you can always use a sheet or several sheets of paper and doodle, write, and attach pictures.  

However you approach setting your desires for the year into goals, here are some tips: 1) write it down with details, 2) define how you will measure your progress along the way, 3) make sure your goal is achievable-actually doable, 4)  acknowledge the practical requirements necessary to meet your goals.

For well rounded goals here are some life areas to consider, although you don't have to do a goal for each area this provides a beginning point for defining what you want that you may not have considered before.  Here are 9 life areas to consider:

• Self (talents, values, character, mental enrichment)
• Emotional Self (emotional outlet, support system or therapy, self-love, and self-compassion)
• Spiritual (practices, uplifting, sacred spaces, soul nourishment)
• Relationships (family, friends, colleagues)
• Financial (cash flow, budget, investments, savings)
• Network (key people, online communities)
• Physical environment (home, office, possessions)
• Body (strength, health, radiance)
• Nature environment (wildlife, seasons, outdoor spaces)

In case you have financial goals that involve saving money, Here is a expense tracker to help you with budgeting (click here).  I did a post a few years ago on the 52 week saving challenge that also might be of interest (click here).

Another financial concept that has gained some traction in the last several years that might be of interest is a "No Spending Challenge."  A no-spend money challenge is where you don’t spend any money (besides essentials if absolutely needed) for a specific time period.  The time period can be for just a weekend, a full week, or even a full month.  This sort of challenge helps you to save money for many things, including building savings for unexpected expenses that arise, such as a last-minute trip, or car repairs. Or even to build an emergency fund, or to pay down debt. Some people have specific debts they want to pay off or down, like a car or save for a home down payment.

If you are considering a full week there is planning involved to make sure you have enough food and regular/necessary supplies ahead of time. A full month is even more planning and preparation for necessities.  

You’ll also have to cut all extracurricular activities from your schedule that aren’t free.  Keep track of your spending with a visual tracker. Having a visual tracker that you can look at daily will get you excited about saving.  Here is a tracker you can download if this is of interest (click here).

This is a list of non-essentials that you don't spend on during the challenge:

• Entertainment
• Impulse purchases
• Take-outs
• Alcohol
• Non-essential personal care such as makeup or perfume
• Tickets to most events
• Starbucks
• New clothes or shoes
• Home decor
• Hobbies
• Eating out (make meals at home, pack a lunch for work, thermos of coffee to work)
• Unsubscribe from "deal" or "Sale" email alerts

Whatever your goals, don't create stress with unrealistic goals.  Keep reading my friends, you don't need a goal or target, just enjoy!