Well, it’s nearing the end of January, and how are resolutions coming along?  According to a study conducted by the University of Scranton, just 8 percent of people achieve their New Year’s goals, while around 80 percent fail to keep their New Year’s resolutions, says US clinical psychologist Joseph Luciani.  The best of intentions again put by the wayside.

  However, you DO really want to accomplish these goals, but the discipline required is just not considered in the day to day.  When we constructed the Designed RetirementsÆ website, we wanted to create a wallet size sheet that you could carry with you to remind you of your plan.  Logistics, given the various multiple components of a person’s plan, rendered the idea difficult if not impossible for programming and we did not want people straining to see print meant for a six-year old’s eyes.  But the concept is valid.  A short ready reference for your important goals to which you have easy access.  This ready reference allows you to review your goals at your leisure and remind you of the commitments you have made to yourself. 

  We call this ready reference, wallet size sheet, The Daily Briefing.  You look at it in the morning, and during the day, to help you achieve your goals. For example, if one of your New Year’s resolutions was to lose 10 pounds, what better time to remind yourself of that but first thing in the morning?  This will help you focus on the discipline required during the day to achieve your goal.  This may lead to morning weigh ins, which may drive even more discipline.  But a written down, readily available, easy to access, reminder sheet will help you achieve your goals.  All you have to do is open your wallet, read the sheet, and have a talk with yourself. 

  So, create a word doc with your New Year’s goals or any other goals you want to achieve, keep reducing the text and font size, or combining language until the it fits on the size of a credit card.  Print it out, laminate it, put it in your wallet, and reference it the next morning.  I believe you will find that this simple effort will have a huge impact on your ability to achieve your goals and you will be able to congratulate yourself on missions accomplished!

  Happy Retirement!! 

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