#370: Month-End Action Blitz (Friday, January 31)

Old habits don't die overnight. So even though you may have started the year with momentum and gusto, chances are there things you've procrastinated on all month that you need to do.

This week's action: Identify 1-2 tasks you've been procrastinating on this month. Use a couple hours this weekend to complete it - no excuses. (FYI, the fact that it's Superbowl weekend is an excuse.)

Why we're doing this: Whether it's finding your receipts to file your taxes, completing your application for life insurance, taking in your dry cleaning or making that doctor's appointment, we all have something that we deferred that needs to get done.

Don't extend it past this weekend.

And while you're at it, make your $5 contribution to your weekly savings fund.

#369: "I've Been Here Before" (Friday, January 24)

One cannot be prepared for something while secretly believing it will not happen." -Nelson Mandela

Take a look at your goals for this year. How many of them are goals that you've attempted in the past, or have had on your list for a long time?

Have you ever noticed that the closer you get to achieving a goal, the more obstacles seem to appear to prevent you from getting there? Sometimes the obstacles are situations outside of your control - you lose your job, suffer an unexpected illness, have to relocate, etc.

But more often than not, you are the person standing in your own way. Doubt, fear, self-deprecation - these feelings can sabotage your goals.

But you can get ahead of it.

This week's action: 

• List all your goals (use one sheet of paper per goal). 
• Then for each goal, write down everything you've done - the excuses you've given, getting distracted by other things, conflicting activities - to sabotage that goal.
• Keep that list handy and refer to it every time you think of deferring or canceling your goal.

Knowing is half the battle.

#368: Grab Your Partner, Do Si Do! (Friday, January 17)

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." -African proverb

I love this proverb. I think before you embark upon any goal, you should ask yourself one question: "Do I want to go fast or do I want to go far?" 

There are some things that it makes sense to do alone; but a lot of times you can increase your chances of success if you have some help - the right kind of help.

Partners are people who are on a similar trajectory as you are. They may have the same goal as you do, or share your level of enthusiasm/motivation to see the goal accomplished.

Allies may not necessarily have the same goal as you, nor share your passion. But they want to see you succeed. And they have the resources to help you accomplish your goal.

This week's action: 

1. List your goals for this year. 
2. Identify a partner or ally for each of your goals. 
3. Write down what type of help you need from each person for each goal.
4. Ask for help.
5. You must also be willing to be a partner or ally for someone else's goals.

#367: Ground Control to Major Tom (Friday, January 10)

It's great to take action, to hit the ground running on the first day of the year bent on accomplishing your goals. But why are you doing it?

We all want a lot of the same things: to have a great career, to find a good-looking, successful partner and live happily ever after, to make a lot of money, to own a home...the list goes on. But do those goals and dreams make for a fulfilled life?

What would make your life matter? Is it the great job with the six-figure salary? The nice house? Vacationing in the Hamptons every summer? The answer to that question is your mission.

Everyone should have a personal mission statement - the reason your life and your goals matter.

This week's action: Sit down in a quiet place, without your phone, TV or any other outside distractions. Think about, then write down your personal mission statement. Do your goals align to your life's mission? They should.

And while you're at it, remember to put your money away in a sealed envelope for Week 2.

#366: Start Actin' Up (Friday, January 3)

It's a brand new year and another opportunity to get it right -- or at least break even. There are some years when I struggle to think of the annual theme, but 2014 wasn't one of those years.

In fact, I'd had the theme before my birthday as I was reflecting on my 34th year and didn't feel so great about it. So the 2014 theme was inspired by my worst of 2013 -- I guess it's a blesson (a difficult lesson that turns out to be a blessing).

Our theme for this year is action. We are going to move, be purposeful and intentional about what we want, and gosh darn it, we are going to get it! Every week, I'll post an action that I'm taking; you can choose to do the same action or something different, but just do something.

This week's action: Do you have $1? Do you have an envelope? Good. Put the dollar in the envelope, seal it, and write "Week 1" across the seal. Store it in a safe place.

Why you're doing this: We can all have a better relationship with money. Sometimes, you just need to start somewhere. If you do this and follow up each week, you'll have $1,300+ to start 2015 (or to pay off a debt at the end of 2014). Who doesn't want that?

It's time to start actin' up!