Financial Personal Trainers
Resolutions – Self Discipline or Lack There-of!
Awe, yes…..New Year’s resolutions!
Every year many of us go through the same old routine of deciding what we are going to quit, start or change. We make lists of things we want to do or not do for the upcoming year. We may even spend time researching, “googling” or “pinteresting” the best ways to carry out our plans so they somehow seem new to us this year.
If I were a betting person, I would bet that before the end of January, most of us have already lost sight of our goals and have gone back to doing whatever we had planned to stop, stopped doing what we said we would start and…. well…..you get the picture.
Sound familiar? I have to admit…it does to me. In fact, I spent some time before the New Year pondering the “why” behind my less than successful mission of keeping my “health-focused” resolutions. Why is it that I can’t seem to follow through with what would make me feel better, look better and live better?? It’s not because I’m lazy. I run from the time I get up to the time I go to bed. It’s not that I don’t have the ability. I just ran my first half marathon. It’s not even that I don’t have time or that I don’t have the desire.
For me…. It comes down to one reason… self-discipline or lack there-of! Just to be sure of my diagnoses, I checked out the meaning of the word in the dictionary. Self-Discipline: the ability to control one’s feelings and overcome one’s weaknesses; the ability to pursue what one thinks is right despite temptations to abandon it. Synonyms: self-control; willpower; persistence; determination; GRIT!
Yep…!
So now what?
Well, here’s MY plan: I will go back to my list and read through it again. This time, though, I will crank up “It’s Time For Me To Fly” by REO Speedwagon and then pick out the top three on the list. I will read them out loud as though to stamp them in the cosmos for the whole world to see. I have now just raised the bar on my success. I have created an audience to keep me in check. Sound a bit bazaar? Maybe. But if I have to answer to all these people for an epic fail, I’m not as likely to give up. Think about it. Sometimes it’s the accountability we need.
Need more reasons to be self-disciplined? Consider these:
- You will achieve your goals. When you are consistent in doing the things you know you should do, your odds of achieving your goals will be dramatically increased.
- Your self-esteem will soar. Every time you push yourself to do something you know you should do, you are building your self-esteem.
- You will influence the lives of others. Every good and right thing you do, influences the lives of those who are watching and can have a ripple effect on future generations.
- You will see greater success in all areas of your life. Jim Rohn said, “For every disciplined effort there is a multiple return.”
- You will enjoy a more rewarding and satisfying life.
Discipline is one of the key differentiators separating those who live successful and fulfilling lives from those who don’t. Challenging!
What are your resolutions for this year? Eating healthier, exercising regularly or losing weight? Many of us who are keenly aware of our self-discipline deficiency will seek the support and guidance of a trainer or a coach. Much like the audience of the cosmos, they are our accountability partners to keep us on track when our self-discipline starts to fade.
What do you do, however, if your resolutions are to get out of debt, grow your savings or stop living paycheck-to-paycheck? Maybe you’re tired of being stressed out about money and know you will crash and burn before you reach the end of January. Where do you turn?
Daily Money Managers
In case you haven’t heard, there are trainers for that too and they are called Daily Money Managers. Just like a personal trainer for your health, they are personal trainers to help you handle your money. Check out the American Association of Daily Money Managers to learn more about this rapidly growing professional support system. Learn more about how we can help on our website at www.handadmm.com.
My 2018 mantra: “To be highly successful, you need to be highly disciplined!”
If you feel yourself slipping and need the accountability, don’t quit now! Call Hollander & Associates to help you stay on track.
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