A new year. A new you. Isn’t that the new year’s resolution for just about everyone?

It could mean anything from vowing to getting in shape to losing weight to traveling more to taking more time for yourself. Do we do it? For many, just a few days in and it seems like the resolution has long been forgotten. Not because we didn’t mean it at the time. Simply because life gets in the way and oftentimes we don’t know how to change past behaviors to make way for new ones.

I challenge you this year to pick one thing you’d like to change. Maybe it’s starting a workout routine or meeting up with friends more often. Whatever it is, set a goal, make a plan and go for it! If you want to make health more of a priority, put going to the gym on calendar. Studies have shown that if a person puts an activity on the calendar, they are more likely to do it.

But if your goal is to make more time for fun, maybe not everything should go on the calendar. For example, a study out of Ohio State University found that scheduling a leisure activity like seeing a movie or taking a coffee break led people to anticipate less enjoyment and actually enjoy the event less than if the same activities were unplanned. Balance is the key to bringing more joy into our lives. If you want a little motivation, you may also want to read the book, Atomic Habits, by James Clear. In the book he talks about how to ditch bad habits in exchange for new ones and gives step-by-step instructions on how to do just that…build good habits and break the bad ones by making tiny changes for remarkable results.

And while you continue to work on building better habits, I also encourage you to take a look at your financial plan. Is it in line with your goals, particularly if you have created new ones in the new year? A good financial plan can help build balance and bring peace of mind to help you focus on other things.

If you are ready for a new year, new you, give me a call at (530) 753-4195 or send me an e-mail at mark@prattfinancial.com. I would be happy to discuss how a well thought out financial plan can allow you to focus on what’s most important to you.

As a financial adviser with more than 30 years of experience, I know a thing or two about investing, and I can help you understand what a sound financial strategy may be able to do for you.