Lose weight. Exercise more. Save money. Take a trip. It’s that time of year again to make New Year’s Resolutions. In January, optimism is high, but by year-end, it fades. According to one study, only 8% of people achieve their goals.[1] My two main 2020 goals are to climb a 14er in Colorado and learn to play guitar. Maybe I can play the guitar on top of a 14er! What are your goals for next year?
Most goals fail because they aren’t specific. Saving money is a good goal, but how much? You’re more likely to hit, or come close, to your goal if you say, “I want to save $10,000 by December 30, 2020.” Details matter when setting goals.
Financial planning works because it requires specific data. Retiring at 65 is a tangible target, retiring someday is not. Hoping to pay for college is not as powerful as saving $500 per month towards tuition in a 529 account.
Of course, health and wealth are important goals. But what if this year you set goals to give more, serve more, and love more? Bob Goff said, “Plans work, or they don’t. Love always works. Go with the sure thing.” He adds, “Make your life about people, and you won’t regret it.”
If you’re setting financial goals, you probably have money to give. What if you changed your focus to serve others? For example, can you give away 10% of your income to groups or organizations you support? Giving money to those in need has a multiplier effect. Your gift will benefit many, but most importantly, it will benefit you and your family.
What if you can’t give away 10% of your income? Give 5%. Give your time. Can you donate 10% of your time to serve? A Google search will yield a bounty of non-profit opportunities. Serving others is powerful. Several years ago we downsized our house, and I was feeling down because I had to give up the swimming pool. A few months after we moved, I went on a mission trip to Nicaragua and served those living in homes built with cinder blocks and plywood. I don’t miss my pool anymore.
Love always works, as Bob Goff said. Loving others sounds simple, but it’s hard to do. Jesus said in Mark 12:31, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” A simple command. Can it be quantified? Probably not, but do it anyway. Spend time with friends and family. Listen more; be present. Also, men, you don’t have to solve every problem.
Give, serve, and love are resolutions that cost you little, but they’ll pay huge dividends to those who benefit from your kindness.
Give often, serve early, and love always.
Happy New Year!
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:16
December 31, 2019
Bill Parrott, CFP®, CKA®, is the President and CEO of Parrott Wealth Management located in Austin, Texas. Parrott Wealth Management is a fee-only, fiduciary, registered investment advisor firm. Our goal is to remove complexity, confusion, and worry from the investment and financial planning process so our clients can pursue a life of purpose. Our firm does not have an asset or fee minimum, and we work with anybody who needs financial help regardless of age, income, or asset level. PWM’s custodian is TD Ameritrade, and our annual fee starts at .5% of your assets and drops depending on the level of your assets.
Note: Investments are not guaranteed and do involve risk. Your returns may differ from those posted in this blog. PWM is not a tax advisor, nor do we give tax advice. Please consult your tax advisor for items that are specific to your situation. Options involve risk and aren’t suitable for every investor.
[1] https://nypost.com/2018/12/21/new-years-resolutions-last-exactly-this-long/, Shireen Khali, December 21, 2018