Ringing in a new year always carries something magical about it. It’s a bittersweet time, when we say goodbye to the past and optimistically look forward to our future. As 2023 comes to an end and we welcome 2024, we’re motivated by opportunities to restart, set goals, accomplish tasks, and sometimes, completely start over. We all make New Year Resolutions, planning in this new year to do everything better than we did last year. We pledge to do things differently. We resolve to save more money or go to the gym consistently. We’ll keep in touch with family more often or we’ll finally check an important item off our bucket list.
Some of the most common New Year Resolutions are to exercise more, lose weight, practice self-care, get organized, learn a new skill or hobby, save more money and spend more time with family and friends. But did you know that less than half of those New Year Resolutions actually stick? Sure, we may start out strong, but studies — and our own personal experiences — prove that those pledges to do better wither away within the first two months. No matter what you are resolving to do, there are a few ways you can set yourself up for success in 2024. It’s going to take some extra effort on your end, but it will be worth it.
Set Meaningful Goals
Be sure that the goal you are striving for is for reasons that are internal to yourself and not put upon you by others. Ask yourself WHY you want to reach your goal. If it’s truly something YOU want, then you are much more likely to succeed.
Make a Plan
Abstract resolutions are harder to execute than ones that describe specific ways you will work towards your goals. Sit down and write down HOW you will make this the year you finally achieve what you want. Your plan should also include detailed steps about how you will get back on track if you start to lose your way.
Tell Someone
Your resolutions are more likely to fade away if no one knows about them. Find someone you trust and someone who will be supportive and tell them about your goals and your plan. Sharing your why and your how is a crucial component, and doing so will make you more resolute and persistent.
Celebrate the Little Wins
Goals aren’t achieved overnight, which is why you’re much more likely to succeed if you reward yourself for the steps you take along the way. This should be part of your overall plan, so be specific about how and when you will reward yourself. Just be sure your reward isn’t allowing yourself to perform the habit you are trying to overcome!
We checked in with some of our Sponsors for tips and advice on great ways to start and what to focus on. If getting your finances in better shape is your priority in 2024, then it’s best to listen to professional advice from Jack Del Pizzo, CPA of Del Pizzo & Associates. Jack said that your goal for 2024 should be to maximize contributions to your employer’s qualified retirement plan contributions. “These contributions reduce your taxable income, and if you are fortunate, your employer may provide an additional contribution for guaranteed growth,” he explained. “Your retirement account will grow tax-free until you make a withdrawal at retirement age. Ideally, by that time, your tax rate may be lower than it was when you made
the contributions.”
Speaking of taking steps, we asked Kaitlin Battiste, who is our Expert over at From the Top Studio of Dance, about incorporating movement and music into our daily routines. She said there’s no doubt that moving our bodies makes us feel good, and joining a recreational class or club gives us a sense of belonging to a community. “Staying active not only keeps people of all ages physically fit and healthy but provides many social, emotional and intellectual benefits,” Kaitlin explained. “People have always needed outlets to socialize and connect with others, and if we can improve our mental and physical health in the process, it’s a win-win!”
Tori Sheridan of The Vince May Team Realtors – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach said that after the hustle and bustle of the holidays die down, take advantage of a quieter January to prepare your home for the spring market. “Organize, declutter, and tackle the repairs or maintenance you’ve been putting off,” she said. “Don’t forget to dig through paperwork to find things like real estate tax and Home Owner Association documents.” Tori and the team believe that getting organized will save time and energy in the spring to focus on finding a Realtor, preparing for showings and finding your new home.
By implementing the strategies listed here and heeding the advice of our Experts, you will be well on your way to finally reaching those goals on your TO-DO list. Make 2024 your year to resolve to crush those resolutions. You don’t need luck; you just need the right plan!