Well, it’s that time of year that we all start making resolutions for the new year. We do this because Jan 1 is like a clean slate – a way that we can get a fresh start. After 365 days we all deserve a fresh start.

So, start off right with making SMART resolutions. If you remember from my post about SMART goals, goals need to be realistic and attainable and timely. Well, a resolution is something you commit to doing within the upcoming year. So, there is the time variable. Really think about what you can realistically commit to doing within a year… Keyword here is realistic!

Just the other day I was speaking to a very close friend of mine. He is someone that I can be completely honest with. I was telling him about my resolution for the year of “budgeting.” I told him that I’m not going to say I resolve to creating a budget and stick to it – because I know that is NOT realistic for me at all. I told him my resolution will be to “budget a little better this year”. Of course he lectured me about how that doesn’t make sense – just create a budget and stick to it! Well, I know my own limits and capabilities!!! I know that I can’t create a budget and stick to it because I tend to like to live spontaneously

Here’s a tip: Be SMART, even with your New Year’s resolutions. Don’t bite of more than you can chew because you will end up letting yourself down. If you haven’t be able to “lose weight and get in shape” for the past 4 years that you resolved to do it, then you wont be doing it this year either and need to make a change. Perhaps you will have a resolution to lose 20 pounds (specific) by the end of the year (timely). You can have a goal of 3 pounds per month (measured monthly). You want to make yourself feel good about your resolutions, so be SMART about them!