Make your New Year Resolutions Work

The end of the year has come.  December festivities are not a surprise so I am not going to write about how to manage your money and spending during Christmas.  The same principles that I have been talking about through the year hold true in December so no surprises there. Rather, what I would like to focus on this month is about next year.  By the time you read this article we will have three weeks before we jump into 2014.  Hopefully this article can inspire you to do something different as you reflect and think about what you would like to achieve next year.  On 31^st December everyone will once again be shouting “Happy New Year” from the top of their lungs. You will probably want to something different to happen in your life and you label those things as “New Year Resolutions”.  But how many times in the wave of celebration have you set New Year Resolutions?   What is the progress on those goals?  If you are the person, like many of us, who continuously sets these goals only to realise nothing keeps happening year in year out – I am talking to you.  I personally believe it is a good thing to sit back, reflect and decide what you want to change.  This does not only have to happen on 1^st January it can happen anytime.  However because of the hype that surrounds that period many people take the opportunity to chart a new way forward. So if you really want things to change, here is what I believe can make this different from the numerous times you have tried.

One description of the word “resolution” is a course of action decided upon.  Action is the key word and it is what paves the way for new results in your life. The definition of madness is commonly quoted as doing the same thing but expecting a different result. Did you do anything different?  Your resolutions this year did not materialise because you did not do anything differently.  You did not speak differently, you did not think differently and you did not act differently. The reasons your goals did not actualize were not because of the economy, lack of opportunities, high interest rates, not being paid enough, your employer, your family etc. Many people are stuck in false way of believing that money will come first and then you will do something different.  But the sequence actually happens in reverse. Do something different and then different results will show up in your life. Did you take the time to learn something different? Did you develop new contacts? Did you practically do something different? Last week I wrote about starting with what you have.  It is not the Shs one million you don’t have that will enable you to buy that house.  It is the Shs 30, 000 that you can invest today that will start putting things in motion. You have to be very specific with your actions.  You can say that you want to finish work on Friday so you can spend time with your children over the weekend.  That’s great but it doesn’t mean anything. It is too general. Your resolve must include what specifically you will do to finish work on Friday e.g. starting work an hour earlier on weekdays. There are far too many people walking around with general goals like “I want to start a business” or “I want to buy property” or very common is  “I want to make more money”.  Making money is not a goal.  It is wishful thinking. Saying “I want to make an extra Shs 10, 000 per month and I will make jewelry for sale on Saturdays” is a goal.  In essence if you cannot put an action next to your resolutions, you have basically decided it is not going to happen.  It really is no one’s fault but yours.

Another meaning of the word resolution is to be resolute i.e. a firm determination. There are far too many of us existing in life without this steadfast determination or vision of what we want.  No one can dictate this for you but when you do not have it, you go through life being swayed by other peoples opinions and comparing yourself with other people.  Is it really your goal or somebody else’s?  This question has always helped me put things in perspective and I use it a lot when I teach.  Imagine yourself at 90.  What would you want to have experienced?  The response to this question has the effect of making you aware of what is truly important to you and shedding unnecessary baggage that usually comes wrapped up in package called “What other people think”.  It may be not be that important to everyone else but if it means something to you, that’s good enough for you to move forward. No matter how much money you have, if you do not experience a life that is true to you, you will be unhappy. You were not made to live somebody else’s life.  I know this because each and every one of us has a different thumbprint. Even identical twins are not the same people. Take time before we leap into next year to properly think about what you want to achieve next year and write it down and from what you know come up with specific actions to start you off.  Force yourself to take at least two hours a week to look at where you are, research on new information or pursue whatever course of action is needed. Put structure into achieving your objectives and create a specific time for you to work on building the life you want. If you can give your boss or clients that attention and specific time, surely you can do it for yourself.  You are not less important.  Vague goals produce vague actions and vague results. If you want that go ahead and do what you have always done.  If you want something different, try what I have just told you.

Waceke runs a program on personal financial management. Find her at waceke@centonomy.com|

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