It’s that of year time again. Whether we vow to eat less, exercise more, or live in the moment – it all comes down to the same thing: we all want to be happier, get healthier and do better in the new year. Looking for some ideas? Here are 7 New Year’s Eve Resolutions inspired by millionaires.
New Year, New You … If you plan
For those who are considering resolutions that can impact your wallet, you might want to look to successful people for inspiration. What can we learn from them? It turns out that daily routines matter. Studies show that great achievers tend to have some core characteristics in common; a set of easy-to-replicate everyday habits that are surely worth picking up.
Try incorporating these 7 New Year’s Eve resolutions inspired by millionaires into your own daily rituals:
7 New Year’s Eve Resolutions Inspired by Millionaires
1.) Get an early start.
The early bird does more than just catch the worm. In a recent study, almost 50% of 177 self-made millionaires woke up at least three hours before the start of their work day.1 Getting an early start puts you in a better position to accomplish your daily goals with confidence, despite any disruptions that may come your way.
As a parent of three (two in elementary school and one in pre-K), waking up early is just a matter of necessity. But at the very least find some time before work and after school drop off to meditate a little and visualize your day.
2.) Make your bed.
Folks who keep tidier homes make more money, and those who make their bed each morning are “up to 207% more likely to be millionaires.”2 This particular morning routine is associated with better budgeting skills, greater productivity, and a stronger sense of well-being. Changing the world begins with making your bed according to this Navy SEAL. Why? If you can handle the small things, big things will follow. Your mom was right. A tidy room CAN improve your life!
3.) Plan it, write it, do it.
People who use both a calendar and a to-do list are “289% more likely to be millionaires than those without a set schedule.”3 This is something that I’m still working on but clearly putting something in writing is like making a promise with yourself. Stick to the plan. Sure, there will be disruptions but having a plan that focuses on the top two or three mission-critical priorities provides a map so that you can find your way back on track.
4.) Make time for mentors.
This habit may have the biggest impact on your future success. Career mentors help you avoid mistakes, connect to resources, stay motivated, and persevere. In fact, 93% of wealthy individuals have used mentors along the way.4
Whether you are a newbie or experienced, you should not be afraid to work with a mentor or coach. While people may think that successful people have it all under control, no one ever knows all the answers.
5.) Read.
Now’s the time to join that book club you’ve been thinking about. It’s no surprise that reading is strongly correlated with higher education and higher income, but did you know that reading seven or more books a year can make you 122% more likely to be wealthy?5 There are probably many reasons why but in general it’s all about exposure to other ways of thinking and perspective.
6.) Get to the gym.
Did you really think you could avoid this one? Not a chance! A recurring member on New Year’s resolution lists, we all know that exercise is good for our health. But here’s another reason to add this one to your list this year: studies show that people who exercise – even for just 15 minutes each day – statistically outperform others in all measures of success.6
Your body needs food for energy. And your brain needs to be clear of stress to perform better. Exercise will help you do that.
7.) Dine together.
Successful people make time for loved ones. Those who nurture relationships are far more likely to be happy and to make more money. Something as simple as routine family dinners can translate into success.7
The takeaway.
The new year is a great opportunity for growth and change. So go ahead and ditch the lofty, hard-to-reach resolutions this year. Look to successful people for inspiration and try adding a few of their daily habits to your routine. You may find that investing in a few simple changes will have compounding returns.
If you’d like an objective second opinion about your finances and are looking for a road map on how to live better by planning well, please reach out to Steve Stanganelli, CFP®, CRPC®, AEP® at Clear View Wealth Advisors, LLC. Email him at Steve@ClearViewWealthAdvisors.com.
[1,2,3,5,6,7] https://www.cnbc.com/2017/04/07/7-rich-habits-of-highly-successful-people.html [4] https://www.inc.com/jayson-demers/7-habits-of-the-world-s-richest-people.html
