While the holidays should be a time for celebration, they can also be a time of reflection. The past year was a difficult one, and in all likelihood, 2021 will be as well. We all have seasons of life that require us to be better versions of ourselves. And while there may never be a “perfect time” to make positive changes in our lives, the new year is probably the best opportunity we have.
At the end of every year, I ask myself what I need to change to become a better version of myself. Then I go about doing it. In the spirit of sharing, I want to share my suggestions with you, and hopefully, together, we can make 2021 a better year for both ourselves and others amidst the pandemic!.
Keep your promises.
It’s pretty easy to break a promise or two. We’re only human; we make mistakes. Then there are those bold face lies: I won’t be on Facebook for the next few hours; I’ll email you later today; I promise I’ll get this to you tomorrow.
Truthfully, there are just some things you can’t control — delays, illnesses, unexpected events, etc. When we say we’re going to do something, we should do it — and we should keep our promises. Not only does it make us feel good about ourselves, it makes others feel good, too.
Be better to yourself, your body, and your mind.
If you’re not happy with where you are in life, it’s probably time to change some things. The following are a few things that you can do to be a better person this year.
- Get rid of toxic people from your life.
- Figure out what your passion is, and then do it.
- Fix your posture.
- Take care of your mental health – get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise.
- Realize that you are the only person who can ever truly make you happy. No one else can ever fulfil that role or place in your life, so don’t ever put that kind of pressure on another person or thing.
- Make it a point to take a little more time each day to do something you love, even if it’s just a few minutes each day.
Keep your finances in shape.
The simplest form of wealth creation comes from knowing how to be a good steward of the money you already have.
These might seem like obvious money lessons, but they’re ones we all tend to forget in the day-to-day stresses of life. Here are some tried and true tips on keeping a good head about your finances:
- Please write down your net worth and update it regularly. This is an essential practice for keeping your head in the game. Being aware of how much you have will keep you from making risky investments and wasting your money on unnecessary purchases. If you don’t know where you stand, you’re not likely to succeed in growing that pile.
- Pay yourself first. No matter how strapped for cash you are, make sure to set aside at least 10% of every paycheck for savings or investments.
- Pay your debts, including bad credit loans. Adjust your bad credit loans if you have them right now. Your credit score is the most important number in your life next to your Social Security number.
- Balance the Budget. A budget is an outline of your income and expenses that help you prioritize your spending. If you don’t have one, start with your paycheck and work your way through every expense, from rent to utilities to eating out. You can even organize it by category (like “binge” and “necessity”). Try the free money management app LearnVest to create your first budget.
Help others in a meaningful way — one that doesn’t take a lot of time or money — every week without missing a beat. Here are a few ways to do this.
- Help people who aren’t expecting it. Bring coffee to a coworker, pay for the person behind you at Starbucks, hold the door for people. It can be little things — but the effect is big.
- Call someone to say “I love you.” Remember to do this every week — even if you’re in a fight with your partner or just had a fight. A daily “I love you” is nice too.
- Let someone else win at something, even if you know you’ll beat them next time.
- Be true to yourself and your values — even when it might cost you something. It will pay off in the long run because you won’t have to worry about compromising when times get tough.
Eat well and be healthy.
Your body is the vessel that will allow you to experience everything life has to offer. Treat it well by eating real food, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. Making good choices is crucial in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and the benefits are endless.
Make this the year you leave a positive imprint on the world.