Well, it’s that time of year. The “New Year, New Me” mentally is in the air and everyone is catching it. I used to make vision boards around this time to get motivated to accomplish goals. I don’t know why people get so annoyed with others on social media who want a fresh start. Some people make goals for just the upcoming year while others focus more on the long-term. I think it’s so important to re-evaluate where you are in order to get where you want to be, whether it’s personal or professional. I like to figure out what I want to accomplish and what actions I need to change - because what I’m currently doing isn’t working, obviously. We always have good intentions when we want to be better at something but accepting that shit has to change - if you want your outcome to be different - is something that has to be realized. Making small modifications can go a long way. Here are some of my goals that I have for 2016:
Stop dipping into my savings account and let it build.
I really, really, really want to work on my finances this year. Getting financial guidance at an early age can be extremely helpful and beneficial in the long run. A friend of mine, who happens to be a financial advisor, gave me some great advice. He told me that he saves more money than he spends. He’s pretty young too – I’m a month or two older than he is – so our responsibilities aren't as heavy as someone who is married with a family of 5. Save as much as you can while you’re young. It sounds pretty intimidating and impossible task to do, so I am taking baby steps to get there. Creating a savings account that is not attached to my checking account is a good start. I want to do this so I can stop dipping into that account as often, if not at all. Also, know what is considered an emergency. Needing a new tire is worth dipping into your savings for. Getting a pair of shoes that is marked down for a “limited time only” is NOT! I've also created a monthly goal sheet for this year on where I should be each month. Seeing these goals on paper is definitely motivating me to SAVE SAVE SAVE!
Build Credit Score.
Pay off Credit Cards & take control of Student Loans.
Again, my finances are my biggest focus this year. I graduated college a year ago and 6of those 12 months I lived off my credit cards - I don’t recommend this by the way. I have a steady job now and even though I’m saving to move out of my parents’ house, I need to start chipping away at this debit. The longer I wait, the more interest will increase and the more it will effect my credit score. When I went to my bank to refinance my car, the branch manager gave me a few tips on building my score: Pay your bills, pay off debt, do it on time & pay extra whenever you can. I have get this debt down so my credit score can go up. There are so many articles out there that be a great guide to help you be better with your finances. Google is your best friend when it comes to searching for them.
Wake up early to get there early.
Oh geez, this is something I have always had a hard time doing. I’m on time/early for business things like work meetings or Delta events. When it comes to going out with my friends or going to church or even date night, I’m always the last one to be ready. I think it’s because I am horrible with time management. When I say I have more time to get ready, I tend to do more in that extra time or move extra slow because in my mind I have more time. I know, sounds bad. I’m over the “fashionably late” phase. It’s not cute anymore. I hate the feeling of knowing people are waiting on me because I hate waiting on others. Time is money. Time is precious. Time shouldn't be wasted. So now I am going to begin waking up earlier for a regular routine as well as planning to get there early. No more rushing for me.
Work on my health & beauty regimen.
Doesn’t everyone have this New Year’s resolution? Every year, I start off doing really well. I go to the gym 5 - 6 days a week, eat healthy, and take supplements that assist my workouts. In 2015, I lost 5 pounds in 3 months which really annoyed me. No really, I was so pissed because I was busting my ass almost everyday . It really made it hard for me to stick with it. For the upcoming year, I really want to create a new lifestyle. I want to focus more on changing my habits, not just dieting. Eating better, workout consistently and NOT stress out about my body and how it’s changing as I’m getting older.
Creating a beauty regimen is something I’ve been working on for several weeks now, as well. I know it’s something that is going to take time. I have to figure out what products work for me, when to use them, how to use them, etc. I want a weekly/monthly schedule of all my beauty chores. 2016 is the year for me to work on my physical, inside and out.
Stop comparing myself to others.
I can’t lie, this is going to be the hardest out of all of my goals. I know we have done this at one point or another. I do it so often that I don’t even realize it. At the gym, on social media, in real life, all the time. I have accepted that some people will be further along than me and some won’t quite be where I am. If I pour all of my energy into myself instead of looking over my shoulder, I will be able to accomplish all of my goals and be way better off.
What are some of your goals?
We have a lot of the same goals for this year!
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