7 IslandVibesIOP.com Skip New Year’s resolutions — start life resolutions By Patrick Byrne OPINION As we inch our way toward the end of the year, you’ll begin to see multiple New Year’s resolution articles with ways to better yourself in 2025. I’d like to give you an option you may not have considered: scrap the idea of a New Year’s resolution; make a life resolution instead. New Year’s resolutions don’t work because we’re putting off what we can start doing today. Deciding to make life resolutions will provide you with the proper motivation needed to make real and lasting change in your life. Getting Started Taking your first step toward change is always the hardest. If you’re overweight, heading out the door for that initial run or walk is difficult. For anyone in debt, deciding to take a scissor to those credit cards is both liberating and scary at the same time. The fact that you put one foot in front of the other or a sharp blade to plastic is what matters. Even a small gesture or movement is progress. It’s important to give yourself grace in the face of adversity. You’re going to get down on yourself. You’re going to wonder how you can get yourself out of the situation you’re in. This is especially true when it comes to financial trouble. Think of your debt as a tied-up piece of yarn. It’s ugly, mangled and difficult but not impossible to unravel. Trust yourself to pull on that first thread. Set Realistic Goals This one seems easy but it’s not. Let’s use an example: • You have $50,000 worth of debt on five credit cards. • Two cards hold $30,000 while the other three hold the other $20,000. • The smallest debt is $5,000 on a store credit card. Rather than setting a goal to pay off all $50,000 in one year, start small. Your first goal should be to pay off the card with the smallest amount of debt ($5,000). Other than avoiding further debt, this is the one and only goal you should be focused on. Once this is paid off, you can set your next goal and on and on it goes. Before you know it, you’ll be debt free. You can apply this same principle to weight loss, getting in shape or any other life improvement you want to make. I’m ready to get started on my next goal but could use some help. Take the other end of this thread and start pulling. Patrick Byrne lives in Tega Cay with his wife and two daughters. After 25 years working for a Big 4 bank where he held multiple marketing/communication roles, he retired from the corporate world to pursue his passion for writing. An opportunity to develop a local paper proved too enticing to turn down. Byrne is a graduate of Winthrop University where he majored in communications. He can be reached at patrickbyrne@tegacaysun. com and patrickbyrnecreative.com. Cutting edge services that revitalize your inner & outer you Dr. Jaclyn Lanham 843.894.0955 | info@YoungerYoustudio.com www.YoungerYoustudio.com 1022 Carolina Blvd.Isle of Palms, SC 1952 Long Grove Dr. Mt. Pleasant, SC New Year, New You! Text or email to inquire about new year specials •AquaFirmeXS Facials •Microneedling •RF Microneedling •Laser •Photo Facials •Tone Texture •Acne Scar Removal •Wrinkle Reduction •Hair Restoration •Chemical Peels
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