By: Genna Jenkin
The Your Smart Money Moves Mom
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times", also known as the beginning of another calendar year full of plans and expectations of a new and improved you. For some this blank slate may be very appealing, for me however, it is rife with pressure. I'm panic-stricken by the thought of all these huge goals looming before me. The weight-loss, the exercise regime, the healthier diet, the super-organized, always patient and wise parent, and ofcourse the supportive and sexy wife. Could anything be more daunting? And more importantly, could anything be more unrealistic?
We are constantly being told to "stop and smell the roses", translated as taking time to enjoy the small moments in our lives. So why not employ this philosophy when making the inevitable New Year's resolutions? This is what I'm thinking, sometimes it's the small things that can make the biggest difference.
#1: Diet and exercise.
These usually top most people's lists. Not surprisingly this is the time of year that gym memberships skyrocket and everyone is loading up on the "super-foods", (a.k.a. super-FADS if you ask me) at the market. The problem is that after working out for 90 minutes a day, 6 days a week and not going near a carb for several weeks by the time Super Bowl Sunday rolls around you're ready to go on a bender which ultimately puts you back at your starting point. Contrast this with starting small (and in the worst-case scenario staying small). What if you chose to try and lose 5 pounds not 25 and committed to exercising for 20 minutes instead of an hour and 20 minutes? Also, I'm no expert, but I don't think a few crackers with some hummus should be off-limits just because some caveman didn't have access to it. The beauty of these smaller and hopefully more attainable goals is that they will spur you on to further success and cause less stress in the process.
#2: Stop wasting time (and money).
This is rather vague because it could mean so many different things to each of us, but I've stumbled on an activity which we universally partake in which is a huge time-suck and we do it on our computers. No, I'm not going to bash the amount of time you spend on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or any other social media. This is more insidious than that, it's just your silly little email in-box. Now I know there are some people that don't even use e-mail much anymore, but for those of you (like me) who feel compelled to go through your emails daily there are a few things that may save you a little time. Invest some time finding the "unsubscribe" option on your emails. I recently went on vacation and chose not to bring my computer feeling my phone would be sufficient to stay "in-touch" (and it was). When I returned I resolved to spend the time to get rid of all those pesky emails that I receive because I once looked at a website and now am constantly bombarded by their endless "specials". Infact, I even took it to the next level and unsubscribed to some of my favorite websites because I didn't want to be tempted to not only waste time perusing the site, but also to purchase something I really didn't need just because it was a great deal. Again, these are small things you can do to save yourself a little time and money each day that can really add up. Finally, embrace the concept of "a place for everything and everything in its place" and create folders for your emails so that you can keep what's needed and find it easily.
#3: Getting organized.
Remember the focus is on something small and easy. SO this will not help you with your pantry, closets or drawers. Let's just focus on your desk or wherever you and your family choose to throw homework, permission slips, mail, newspapers, magazines, recipes and the abundance of post-its and lists that cause it to resemble a land-fill site. Step #1- Throw it all in a bag. Step#2-Throw it away…no I'm kidding!! (Though it is tempting, isn't it?) The second step is to take that bag with you everywhere. Put it in the car, (where, if you're like me you spend a majority of your day) and spend all those random bits of time while waiting in the car-pool line, or at your kid's swim practice even those moments when you're sitting in your garage and aren't quite ready to go inside and deal with the kids' homework and making dinner and go through that bag. Just be warned that it's like laundry, there will always be more waiting, but hopefully it won't pile up as quickly.
Give these techniques a try in 2014 and let me know how you do.
