New Year’s Resolutions To Consider

I came across an article in Forbes online, which outlined some New Year’s resolution that we could consider: To do better; work out harder, eat more vegetables (which is no problem for me), save and invest more money; create a “new me” and create more “me time.”

But there could be more idyllic goals like setting peace and harmony at home and work; appreciating more what we have instead of moping over what we do not have; to earn more for future financial stability, and helping others more or expanding business to employ more people, especially those that lost their jobs from the pandemic.

Setting The Bar

But really, nothing is enough.

The higher we set the bar for ourselves the more realize that, looking at other people, we have less than they have — in physique, finance, love and achievements — and this would bring us down. I’d say stop comparing yourself with others for in the end someone else is always better than you (according to the lyrics of Desiderata).

But lest you misunderstand me, I am not asking you to aspire for less.

Dream big but keep your feet flat on the ground.

Happy Money

Forbes talked about author and social psychologist Elizabeth Dunn who focused on spending differently rather than earning more to produce more happiness.

In her book, “Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending”, she writes, “rather than suggest that you stop trying to get more money, our goal is to help you use the money you have to get more happiness.”

Forbes enumerated Dunn’s five key principles of happy money:

1. Buy Experiences: Buying experiences rather than material goods can inoculate you against buyer’s remorse.
2. Make It A Treat: When something wonderful is always available, people are less inclined to appreciate it. Limiting our access to the things we like best may help to “re-virginize” us, renewing our capacity for pleasure.
3. Buy Time: By permitting ourselves to offload our most dreaded tasks, from scrubbing toilets to cleaning gutters, money can transform the way we spend our time, freeing us to pursue our passions.
4. Pay Now, Consume Later: Delaying consumption allows spenders to reap the pleasures of anticipation with the buzzkill of reality; vacations provide the most happiness before they occur.
5. Invest In Others: New research demonstrates that spending money on others provides a bigger happiness boost than spending money on yourself.

Determining Your Enough

Money cannot take away your internal struggles.

That is why many people with lots of money and resources are still unhappy, insecure, and depressed. Father and Son duo Ted and Brad Klontz developed the Klontz Money Script Inventory (KMSI), a short assessment designed to help you learn more about your own money belief system or money scripts®.

The KMSI helps you understand why you make the choices you do around money and help you learn to act in your own best interest.

They write “knowing yourself betters is the best starting point for making change and the first step in proving your overall financial health.”

In addition to addressing your past, it’s important to recognize what you have now.

Gratitude

Forbes said this is not about just creating a net-worth statement (although seeing what assets you have may be helpful), but rather about expressing gratitude for your current situation.

Research shows that just giving thanks can also make you happier.

According to Harvard Health, “gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness.

Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.”

Forbes suggested practicing gratitude by creating a daily list of oneself or finding a friend who will be grateful with sharing five things that they appreciate with you, every day.

Useless Anxiety

The year that left us certainly taught us many lessons, foremost of which is spending more time with family and with our God.

I hope that even if this pandemic leaves us sooner, although I strongly doubt it, we will keep up with the vital lessons COVID-19 taught us: simplicity, humility, prayerfulness and paying more attention to those that matter most to us.

Happy New Year to all!