The beginning of the year marks a fresh start, a new beginning, and New Year’s resolutions. It’s a time when millions of people hope to spark positive change for the new year, everything from fitness to finance goals and everything in between. Some of us may feel like time’s running out to finish what we set out to achieve.
If you’re feeling like this and still have unchecked items on your list, don’t worry because it’s not too late. We’ll share ways you can wrap up your 2023 goals so you can enjoy that sense of accomplishment at the end of the year.
Change is Hard But Not Impossible
At the heart of any meaningful change is the courageous decision to take a risk. Change may be uncomfortable, but then again, what worthwhile endeavor isn’t?
Before diving head-first into tackling your goals, it’s important to take a step back and ready yourself to make change happen.
Start by taking inventory of the areas that have lacked progress and think about the following:
- What did I set out to do in the past year? Helps reevaluate your "why" in setting the original and gets you re-motivated to finish what you set out to do this past year.
- Where did I make progress? Reaffirms the progress you have made so you can celebrate your triumphs.
- Where didn't I see progress? Gives you a starting point to initiative new action steps for reaching your goals.
Change is hard but it’s not an impossible endeavor. It’s not too late to reset milestones and action steps to achieve the past year’s goals. Start small, stick to your plan, and put in the effort each day! When it comes to making improvements in life, there’s no time limit, start, or finish line – steady progress is paving the way for your continued growth and success.
Health and Fitness
Getting healthy and focusing on fitness is a lifestyle transformation. It takes patience, practice, and discipline. The great news is you can start at any time! Going into the holidays with a fitness goal may be more challenging than starting at the beginning of the year, but with a plan in place and the right mindset, you can make it happen!
Here are few ways you can still achieve your health and fitness goals:
- Move your muscles. Start or end your day with a brisk walk. Walking is good for raising your heart rate and moving your muscles.
- Increase your water intake. Water delivers oxygen to your body and boosts skin health. Start by drinking one small bottle of plain or mineral water each day.
- Engage in mindfulness practices. Activities such as yoga, Pilates, and Tai Chi promote improved breathing, boost your heart rate, and more. Mindfulness practices such as these an be attributed to stimulating positive health behaviors, reinforcing your desire to make better lifestyle choices.
Learning Something New
Have you ever heard of the saying “lifelong learning”? Well, if you haven’t, it means that learning never ends. Continuous learning is great for your mind, body, and soul. If you want to learn a skill, you’re in luck because learning has no expiration date.
Here’s how you can get started today:
- Start small. Choose one or two skills to focus on first and break that skill down into manageable goals. Deconstructing a skill will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and will make your practice time more efficient.
- Spread out your training. When you're learning a new skill, you're changing your brain, and the brain needs time to make those changes. Think of it like growing your muscles. You need to work out a little each day and allow your muscles to get progressively stronger. Your brains works the same way.
- Make time for it. You won't magically find yourself practicing your new skill unless you set aside time for it. Schedule small practice sessions by committing to one hour a day to learn the skill.
Organize Your Finances
Getting your finances in order can seem like a never-ending process because things (and life) are always changing. One of the benefits of circumstantial change, is the opportunity for a brand-new start.
Whether you’ve tried organizing your finances (but can’t seem to get a rhythm down) or haven’t started yet – it’s not too late to reach this goal. Here are some practical ways for reorganizing your financial strategy:
Create a budget. Creating a budget may sound overwhelming but it doesn't have to be. Start simple mapping out your income and expenses. To get started download our "3 Practical Budget Templates".
Start a monthly budget review. Make it a habit to review your budget once a month to see if you've been spending within your means. If you've gone over budget, find areas to cut back. To learn more ways to live within your means, check out our "How to Live Within (or Below) Your Means Without Feeling Deprived" blog.
Create a checklist. It's easy to forget to pay bills without a system in place, but missing payments can carry consequences. Create a checklist at the beginning of the month listing every bill you're expecting. Using our Bill Pay service will help streamline your payments making it easier to track and pay bills on time.
It's Never Too Late to Reach Any Goal
At Peach State, we believe in fresh starts and second chances. Whether you’re just tackling a financial goal you set earlier this year or giving one another try after an unsuccessful first attempt, we’re here for you. We have programs specifically designed for people looking for a fresh start or a second chance. When it comes to reorganizing or reinstating your financial strategy, we can help you get started today! Contact us today!
