Your New Year’s Commitments

In general, I’m not a huge fan of New Year’s resolutions. People tend to get amped up about making changes after the new year, but tend not to follow through with their changes. For most people, change is a “wish” – that is, something they would like to see happen, as long as they don’t have to put forth any real effort.

This is why I ask you not to make any resolutions this year.

Instead, I ask you to make New Year’s commitments.

What’s the difference?

Simply put, the difference between a resolution and a commitment is your willingness to take an active part in making your goals happen.

First, you have to decide what will happen. Will you erase all of your debt? Will you double your income so you never again have to rely on credit cards or loans to have the things that make your life enjoyable? Will you scale back your discretionary spending by 25% to tackle your debt? Be specific. Without a specific goal, you don’t have the tools necessary to translate your desires into reality.

Second, you must develop a specific action plan to achieve your goals. How will you erase your debt, double your income, cut your discretionary spending? Strategy is the foundation of change. That’s not to say that your strategy won’t evolve over time… but you need a framework or you’ll never even get started.

Finally, you must commit to your action plan. Decide, right now, that you will not accept anything less than the attainment of your goals. Make your commitment a reality by putting it in writing and sharing it with those around you. Putting your commitment into written words, and sharing those words with people who you will remain in contact with throughout the year, makes you accountable for your actions. This can be a powerful driving force to keep you moving forward, to keep you working toward fulfilling your desires even if the work sucks and you just don’t feel like putting in the effort.

Your life is worth your commitment. Your freedom is worth your commitment.

Start today. Spend an hour per day solidifying your commitment, and you will have a framework as strong as steel to help you achieve the life you have dreamed of.

It doesn’t even matter what day of the year it is. If you’re reading this in the middle of summer, it’s still a perfect time to stop letting circumstances control your life. You don’t have to wait until the next new year… every day you wait is a day you could have devoted to making real, meaningful change in your life.