If you often make resolutions in January and abandon them during the year or if you’ve decided to start that tradition this year, here’s some advice to help you reach your goals:

• Be realistic: Running a full marathon in the next six months if you’ve never even jogged before may not be the most feasible objective. Instead, set gradual goals, such as a 5 km or 10 km marathon.
• Write your goals down: Writing them down gives them more weight. As the saying goes: “Spoken words fly away, but written words stay.” This will enable you to check your list regularly and note your progress.
• Choose a few over many: Filling a page or two with goals will surely demoralize you. After all, how could you reach that many objectives? Where do you even start? First, prioritize your resolutions and trim your list down to just a few. It will then be much easier for you to keep them.

A tool for each resolution

You should have a tool or two for each of your resolutions. For example, if you want to get more exercise or lose weight, smart watches, fitness apps, workout classes and gyms can be great motivators.

If your goal is financial, such as taking stock of your personal finances, budgeting or saving more, consider talking to your advisor. He will be able to help you assess your financial health and build a plan based on your goals. Laurentian Bank also offers many tools to help you save all year long, such as our Periodic Savings and Investment Plan, Retirement projection, savings simulator or investment selector.

Thanks to these tips, you’ll be ready to keep all your resolutions in 2020!