Saving Time

Posted on March 9, 2024 by Patti Fralix

Once again, I find myself searching for things, such as car keys, lipstick, and various other things. I have long since known why I can’t find such simple things. I do not put them in the same place.  Also, I have so much other stuff in the way of where I put things, that I am too often having to wade through different colors of lipstick to find the one I want. I know the solution, and so do you. Getting and staying organized is the solution.

Getting organized is simple, but not necessarily easy. Staying organized is hard. It takes time to get and stay organized. But we waste so much time when we aren’t organized that the time it takes to get organized is worth the time investment.

Less time looking for things means more time for cappuccino!

The issue of having so much stuff that it is hard to be organized is another problem. Take lipstick, for instance. I would hate to know how many tubes of lipstick I have. And I use one or two most of the time. But the thought of culling the lipstick supply is more than I can do. What if I decide to wear some of the other colors in the future? It doesn’t make sense to get rid of something I might need in the future. Or does it? It does indeed make sense. If I am only using one or two colors, why not just get rid of the rest?

Our influence is one of the greatest gifts we give others. Let’s make it a positive one. 

What about socks? I have so many socks that my sock drawer overflows, yet I only wear a few pairs. I have thought about getting rid of clothes and other things, such as socks, that I haven’t worn during the fall and winter seasons. If I haven’t worn them this year, what is the likelihood that I will wear them next year? Not much.

Back to keys. The solution to not being able to find car keys is to put them in the same place every time. Every single time. This includes putting them in the same place in my purse, so I don’t have to take everything out to find them. It also includes putting them in the same place in the house. Having a key hanger near the door we usually come in is one solution, but a bowl in that same area is sufficient. Leaving them on the counter in the midst of other stuff is not as good of a solution.

Being organized gives us more time for a cup of tea or cappuccino and a good book!

The tagline for my business, and my passion, is “Inspiring Positive Change in Work, Life and Family.” Some of my writings are heavy, and some are light. This one I consider light, but nonetheless important. Time is the most important resource that we have. We should do everything we can to not waste time.

We can save lots of time that we are spending looking for stuff if we get and stay organized. I’m in. How about you?

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Getting Ahead of Procrastination

Posted on February 28, 2024 by Patti Fralix
The best answer to dealing with Procrastination.

Most of us struggle with it, at least sometimes. The “it” is procrastination. Procrastination takes many forms. At its core is the putting off until tomorrow, or forever, what we do not want to do but need to do. If we are putting off doing something that does not need to be done, we should not think of it as procrastination.

The “need” word related to procrastination is tricky. I have a good example. I had a pile of laundry that needed to be ironed. The pile included linen pillowcases, linen hand towels, small linen and cotton gift bags, dresser scarfs, and a few other items. Some of those items were for our personal use, and some were to be sold from my antiques and gifts business. The fact that these items were not ironed was not really a problem; there was no “need” to do this ironing. But there was a need to make a decision about ironing the items and putting them away, or not ironing them and getting rid of them. The way they were being kept only created clutter, and clutter blocks us from serenity.

# 2 on a list of behaviors we need to get rid of.

The pile had been hidden in a cabinet in my laundry room for months. When I cleaned that cabinet out a couple of weeks ago, I decided that the items that needed to be ironed would be ironed. So, I took that pile and put it in plain view in another room, hoping the mere sight of it would shame me into ironing. That did not work. I walked around that pile for a couple of weeks. I did not allow myself to move the pile. I knew that eventually I would tire of it being in plain view and would do something with it. During these two weeks, I almost put the pile away without any of it being ironed. But I resisted that and left it there. I found success with my procrastination this weekend.

Starched and ironed linens.

On Sunday afternoon, still not wanting to iron but having nothing else that I needed to do, I decided to face the demon and at least get started on the ironing. I told myself that I would iron a few pieces, and if I did not want to finish everything, then I would decide what to do with the rest. I knew that if I got started, I would likely want to finish the job.   

We would do well to no longer procrastinate getting rid of clutter.

So, I ironed about half of the items, prioritizing those items that I wanted to sell. Then I stopped. I left the un-ironed pieces where they were, wanting to finish the job Monday morning. I knew if I put them away, they would not get ironed for many more months. If that happened the world would not stop, but I would not be happy with myself. Monday morning, I finished the ironing job.

To say I am proud of myself for finishing this ironing is an understatement. I conquered the procrastination demon and completed a task that should have been completed months ago. Now, I am on a roll, and want to complete other tasks that I have been avoiding doing. That is how this works. One success often leads to another. Once we force ourselves to get active and do something we need to do, we have more energy to do more. When we allow ourselves to slouch around, the same thing happens; there is more slouching around.   

Now, procrastination with ironing may not be your challenge, but I bet there is something you have been putting off doing. That is likely hanging over you, draining your energy. You think about it too much. But you still do not do it. Why? There are several reasons.

Sometimes we procrastinate doing something that we really do not want to do, and do not need to do. And we can likely all agree that most of us have more to do than we can get done. So, it is easy to not do some things. If this is our challenge, we need to decide whether we are going to do this, or not. We can give ourselves permission to take this off  our “to do” list. Making this decision is not a failure. It is taking action. We can free this time up for other, more important things that do need to get done. Sometimes we procrastinate because the task we are avoiding seems so large and we do not even know how to get started. If this is the case, we need to break the task down into manageable pieces, decide how long each aspect of it will take, and just get started.  We should plan the task in time chunks, deciding when and how to complete it. This sounds simple, and it really is, but it isn’t easy. I know that you know the difference between simple and easy. In my Weight Watcher’s meeting on Saturday, the leader made the statement. “Research shows humans like to do what’s easy.” Sometimes we fail to even get started on a task because it is easier not to!

This is not intended to be a thorough analysis of Procrastination. Nor is it intended to highlight my recent success with ironing. The point of this is to bring to my readers’ attention a nudge regarding their procrastination issues.

I will stop here, so you have time to attack your procrastination issues. Reading about the subject is not nearly as effective as taking action.

Good luck! I would love to hear of your success.  

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How Is 2024 Going For You So Far?

Posted on February 23, 2024 by Patti Fralix
I have not read this, but I love the title! 

Let me confess first. It isn’t going great for me. I have gained a few pounds, I have not been walking, and have yet to get completely serious about reducing debt. But I am back on a plan.

I have long known that I need structure. That is why Weight Watchers works for me as a weight management tool. As a Lifetime WW member, I must weigh in once a calendar month and not gain more than two pounds over my goal weight to maintain my Lifetime status. If I meet these criteria, I can attend WW meetings and take advantage of all of its offerings without paying. If I do not meet those criteria, I must start paying to participate. That alone is an incentive for me to work the plan. But once again here I am at the end of the month, having to drastically reduce my caloric intake to meet my goal in the next few days. And as you know, February is a short month!

How very true this is!

My walking plan has suffered due to the cold weather. Now that is an excuse. I can walk in cold weather, although I prefer not to. Then I can get myself to an indoor mall, which I have not done. But I did start my walking routine yesterday. Since I have only one day of success, I can’t brag about this progress. But we know that getting started is the hardest part. It seems that due to some other priorities, I will miss today. That means I will need to walk twice another day!

Regarding debt reduction, that is actually going better than my weight and exercise. I am no longer charging certain items, such as groceries, on a credit card that isn’t paid off each month. In fact, I am not charging anything on a credit card that isn’t paid off each month. As I have mentioned previously, the changes needed to reduce my debt, eventually eliminating it, will be tough. It is tough. But so am I.

How is it going for you with your New Year’s Resolutions/Commitments? I hope that you are excelling! If, however, you are like me and have not made as much progress as you want, it is time to get serious. With the end of February approaching quickly, we have ten months left in this year.

I have read this book, and it is great!

Where do you want to be at the end of 2024? Go back and review your commitments to yourself. Decide what needs to change.

And as Nike says, “Just Do It!”

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When Love Isn’t Enough

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Patti Fralix
This is what love has to do with it. 

Valentine’s Day just passed, and I hope you had a loving one. Whether your day was filled with flowers, chocolates, dinner out or in, hopefully, you were able to celebrate with someone you love. On this one day set aside to honor love, even if you did not celebrate at all, if you were safe, you were more fortunate than some.

For some in Kansas City, love was not enough. On a day set aside to honor the most recent Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, gunmen opened fire, killing one person and injuring twenty-one others, some critically. By the time this blog is read, those numbers may have changed.

I have wondered before what circumstances make a hero and a criminal. I wonder about that again. Of course, there is no easy answer to this. There is sometimes mental illness involved in those who commit terrible crimes. But that is not always the case. Some people do terrible things, even criminal things, who are not mentally ill. Some people commit such actions who are just mean. “Mean” does not seem like a strong enough word for someone who commits terrible acts of violence. Let’s call this person contemptible.

Our words have a lot to do with how someone feels about themselves, right or wrong. 

I am not really trying to answer this question that begs to be answered, even if there are no simple answers to the question. And I am not really making the Kansas City parade the reference point to this question. There are numerous examples of horrific actions caused by contemptible people. What I am questioning is what place love plays in how we turn out.

What is love, even? We just celebrated the romantic definition of love. But romantic love is not the kind of love that makes us feel safe. Romantic love is not the kind of love that keeps us from hurting others.

I am not generalizing violence caused, even in part, by a lack of love of any kind. I am only wondering if there is a connection between love, nurturing love that makes us feel safe, to treating others with love, not hate.

What does love have to do with it? A question without an easy answer. But definitely a question that needs exploration.

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Another Change

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Patti Fralix

As one who has experienced significant Change in the past few years, one would think that I would be used to Change. But not. While I know at a surface level that the only constant is Change, I still struggle when I am experiencing Change, especially major Change. Of course, you might be thinking, why would I not know that?

Since I started my business in 1992, thirty-two years ago, I have been a speaker and consultant, a teacher and a student of the subject of Change. I know the research on Change, or at least, much of it. I have taught others how to successfully deal with Change, helping them navigate Change waters individually, as teams, and as organizations. I have tried to walk my talk on this, not just talk my walk. Yet still, I struggle.

My readers have walked through some of these changes with me, the most dramatic being the sale of our primary home, and our downsizing into a much smaller and very different home a little over a year ago. I am still dealing with that. While it is true that time helps us to cope with loss, we are never the same at our core when we experience major Change, especially when the Change was mainly chosen because it was the practical decision to make, for those in our age group and with our circumstances.    

My loved van. You can’t  see the extensive damage.

Recently, other unwanted changes have come our way. Mike and I have had both of our vehicles totaled by our insurance company since September. Mike’s vehicle was totaled from an accident that involved only him in September. He was not hurt, thankfully. While our insurance company initially totaled his car, we decided to keep it and have it repaired, and we are glad that we did.

Mike and I were in my van stopped at a traffic light on December 23rd when a driver in another car who was apparently going too fast and driving recklessly caused an accident involving seven vehicles. Mike and I were not hurt, (although some others were) but my 2017 Chrysler Pacifica van was totaled. Since the damage was so significant and the van had approximately 230,000 miles on it, we decided that it made sense to not attempt to have that vehicle repaired. While I loved that van and hoped to drive it another year or two, I was soon in the market for a new, or rather, previously owned, vehicle. The question became, what type of vehicle did I want? Or rather, regardless of what I might want, what type of vehicle made sense for me at this point in my life?   

I was clear about two things related to my vehicle search. I wanted a vehicle that runs fine on regular unleaded gas, not premium. And I wanted a vehicle with more recent safety features, such as a backup camera and side and lane-changing warning lights and sounds. And while I had had a van for many years and loved the ability to carry furniture and other stuff (for my side business, antiques, and gifts,) my family and friends convinced me that it was time for a smaller vehicle. While I agreed that it was time for a smaller vehicle, the question became, how much smaller?

Without going into all of the whys and wherefores of my final decision, I am now the driver of a 2021 Honda CR-V, Touring. While it is smaller than my earlier choices, I have decided that it is right for me. It has enough room for hauling most of the stuff I need to haul at my age, and the few times a year that I need a larger vehicle, I can rent one, or borrow one. That is my logical side talking. My emotional side misses my van terribly. While this is not a change the magnitude of selling our primary home, it is a major change for one who has driven, and loved, larger vehicles for many years.

My new car! 

I have heard only positive feedback from others about Hondas in general and Honda CR-Vs in particular. Having driven my new car for a week now, I have had a positive experience with it. It is much easier to drive than my van, and it has enough room for Mike and me and what we should be carrying to and fro. While it will take us some time to learn how to use all of its bells and whistles, I am enjoying one of those. My iPhone charges without plugging it into an outlet; there is a pad that charges it. Now, that is cool!

One of the selling features at Carmax where I purchased the Honda was a thirty-day (not to exceed 1500 miles) return for a full refund. While I have only driven the Honda a week, I have not allowed myself to calculate the miles. I do not want to be tempted to return it. It drives fine, it has some important safety features that I want, and there are entirely too many choices to consider if I decide this vehicle isn’t the one for me. I am tired of the car buying process, although my salesperson at Carmax, Mamadu, was excellent.

While he has no idea how many miles I have driven, I am sure Mamadu is watching the calendar for my month allowing a return of the Honda to end. So am I.

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Dancing the Night Away

Posted on February 1, 2024 by Patti Fralix
Judy and Tom Boone dancing as the Band, I-42 from Eastern NC, played Beach Music. 

Mike and I traveled to Wilson, NC last Saturday for our annual Wilson Cotillion Ball. We were living in Wilson in the mid-eighties, and we were one of the thirteen original couples who started the Cotillion. Although Mike and I moved to Raleigh in 1987, we have stayed involved in the Cotillion. We enjoy going back to Wilson for the annual Ball and the two informal dancing events each year.

Dan and Paula Michalak, more recent members of the Cotillion, who epitomize “Dancing the Night Away!”
Branch and Kim Benton.

There is some difference of opinion about how many years we have been together in the Wilson Cotillion but suffice it to say that it is almost forty, and depending on how it is counted, it may even be 40. Regardless of the number of people with the most agreement about our tenure, that is a very long time!  

Diane and Ashley Hooks, who left Cabo early to be at the Ball!

The Cotillion was the brainchild of our dancing teacher, Gene Barnes. Gene was a well-respected dancer, whose career included teaching dancing in New York and performing on off-Broadway. He was also the uncle of one of our friends, Judy Boone. Judy and her husband Tom are also one of the original thirteen couples. Gene taught many of us ballroom dancing and birthed the Cotillion idea, but unfortunately, he passed away soon before our first Ball. Those of us who knew and loved Gene have him on our minds and hearts as we dance in his memory and honor.

(L to R) Kim Benton, Mike, Vicky Collie, and Richard Collie. Kim, Mike, and Vicky are all inaugural Cotillion members.

We have grown from the original thirteen couples to our number most years being fifty couples. Life and circumstances have changed for some of the original thirteen couples. At Saturday night’s Ball, we only had three of the original thirteen couples: the Boones, Kim and Branch Benton, and us, and two other spouses of deceased members from that group.

Ellen and Bowie Gray, younger Cotillion members! 

What keeps a group like the Wilson Cotillion still going strong for so many years? The most important variable for a dancing club is dancing, and having great bands has knitted the group together. There has also been good leadership in our group, with different people serving in the various necessary roles.

Nancy Barber, from one of the original 13 couples. Nancy’s husband John passed away a few years ago.
Gerald and Phyllis Renfrow, who come back for the Cotillion from Beaufort.  

Then there is the issue of new blood. New members are invited to join by current members. Were it not for current members being happy with their experience, staying involved, and inviting others to join, the Wilson Cotillion would have died a natural death many years ago. And of course, new blood comes with new ideas, so the organization has changed as it has evolved. Some of the growing pains have been uncomfortable at times, but the strength of the collective has withstood those changes.  

Patti and Mike Fralix, honored to be with the Wilson Cotillion for (I think it is!) 40 years! 

I hope you have wonderful history with friends like we have in the Wilson Cotillion, perhaps even dancing together! Although the moves of those of us in our later years aren’t as nimble as they were even ten years ago, much less forty, we keep moving and dancing the night away! 

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Social Media Connects

Posted on January 25, 2024 by Patti Fralix
I so appreciate my cousin Garry’s kindness in reaching out to me, for connecting, after so many years have passed. He could not have, and he didn’t have to, but he did. 

I am by no means an expert on social media. I am an infrequent user of Facebook and Instagram. I have never been on TikTok. And that is the extent of my knowledge of social media platforms. But tonight, I am grateful for Facebook being used to connect me to a family member I have not heard from or about in more than fifty years!

I need to reconnect with these cousins. Do you know which one is me?

I had a message on Facebook from a cousin who is now in his mid-fifties, who I have not heard about (and never heard from before) since he was a young child. He reached out, just checking in, wanting to connect. He lost a daughter in her late teens to cancer recently. His words, “I realize more now than ever before how important family is and some people make a lasting impression” touched me at the core. After going back and forth on Facebook Messenger, we decided to talk by phone later this week and catch up more.

I look forward to reconnecting with that side of my family after so many years. The reason that this part of my family has not been in contact for many years is not as important as the fact that one person cared enough to reach out and connect, after even more than fifty years. It is never too late, as long as there is breath. And as long as one person cares enough to do so.

What does family mean to you? Do you have family members with whom you are disconnected, physically and/or emotionally? You may think you do not need to be connected to some of your family, and maybe you don’t. But what is there to lose by doing so? And it is possible that there is much to gain.

A wonderful way to remember a lost loved one.  

It only takes one person to start the chain reaction of connection. Could that be you?

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Shopping at the Largest Shopping Mall in the World

Posted on January 17, 2024 by Patti Fralix

Well, it isn’t really a shopping mall. It is the Atlanta Gift Market. It is where retail shop buyers shop. I am here for one of the two large shopping markets that are held each year. One is in January, and the other is in July. I recall the first time I went to the Market many years ago. I was overwhelmed, as I am each time I go. I vowed to never pay full price for retail again. I am sure that I have not held totally true to that pledge, but it is true that I rarely pay retail prices for many things.

I have had a space at Northrop Antiques Mall in Southport for many years. We sell more gifts now than period antiques. We sell what people buy! 

The reason I am at the Gift Market is to purchase items for my antiques and gifts business, which I have had for many years. It is truly a side business and fills my need for beauty. While I do not net much revenue from it, I have learned how to not lose too much money at it. Since reducing debt is my main goal for 2024, I will be evaluating the financial impact of this love of mine to make sure that it is truly profitable.    

One of my two spaces at Northrop Antiques Mall in Southport. 
A glimpse of my space at Crossroads Gathering Place on Oak Island, North Carolina. 

Being at the Gift Market has magnified the difficulty in keeping one of my commitments. I made a decision/commitment a couple of years ago to support American businesses, and especially small businesses. One aspect of that decision was to not buy anything that I knew was made in China. That is quite difficult, as you might know, since many items are made in China. This decision is not about concerns about the quality of items made in China. It is about doing my small part to begin to turn the tide from America’s dependence on lower-priced Chinese goods and, hopefully, to return some of the manufacturing of goods to the United States. My decision also relates to the increased geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China. This decision does not extend to other Asian countries or other countries; it is specific to China. While I can’t do much to impact our dependence on China, I can do this.

A great shop in St. Marys, GA, Market on the Square. This sweet store has the best part-time salesperson, my granddaughter, Mary Grace, when she is home from UGA! 

Just like January each year, people are not shopping in physical stores much this month. I suppose all of the shopping at Christmas has many people focused on paying for those purchases and not making many more purchases yet. Even with big box stores full of items for Valentine’s Day and Easter, in-person retail is slow. I wonder if the slowdown in in-person retail extends to online sales.  I expect that it does, although I imagine online sales are more robust than in-store sales. Amazon is probably still doing fine.

Amazingly so, one of my best sellers! 

I had an interesting situation a few days ago. I had a charge I did not recognize from Amazon on my debit card. I thought it was a fraud charge and disputed it with my bank, which required that my debit card be cancelled. Soon after, I realized that it was an automatic charge for Amazon Prime, in the amount of $149.43. I was shocked at the amount, realizing that I was probably not getting the value from Amazon Prime. The only reason I use Amazon Prime is for free shipping, and I do not order enough items per year to warrant that charge. I do not really know how much the shipping charges for the items I buy would be, but I want to know that, and decide if I should just pay for shipping and avoid the annual fee. This is similar to the other membership fees that get paid without even thinking about them, and they add up.  

One of my favorite books. Is shopping consistent with Sustainable Minimalism? We get to decide!
Only if you can afford it, and if it is consistent with your goals. 

Amazon has gotten too easy. I am not anti-Amazon, but If I really want to support small businesses, I need to buy more from small local businesses and less from Amazon.

This is true for more than Amazon Prime Day.

I think I am rambling. What is this about? It started off about shopping and is now about mindfulness. Shopping is not a problem, but spending money we do not need to spend is, whether the spending relates to online, in-store, or on things like membership charges. Mindfulness in spending money is a worthy goal, especially at the beginning of the year, and especially if the goal is to reduce debt. So, I plan to evaluate all of my expenses and decide which ones to eliminate or reduce.

What about you? Do you have any money goals this year? If so, it is time to get started on seeing those goals realized. January is more than half over.

Let’s get started.

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A Covid Week Without Covid

Posted on January 10, 2024 by Patti Fralix
Judy and me after a trip antiquing in Nashville in 2017. 

I am in Alabama this week, helping my friend, Judy, recover from Rotator Cuff surgery. This time reminds me of the long lazy days of Covid when we were housebound, able to read, cook, and clean closets. Those days flowed seamlessly from one to the other. These seven days remind me of those.

One of my favorite gifts given to me by Judy many years ago. I use it everyday that I am home. 

While Judy is sitting with her arm in a sling, iced down and raised on a pillow, she requires little care. We have watched endless movies, eaten great food prepared by family and friends, and watched the days flow into nights. I treasure this time, aware that we never know what tomorrow will bring. Being able to sit and talk with this dear friend of fifty-six years is a pleasure that I do not take for granted. Knowing that her surgery will relieve her of her shoulder pain makes the cause for this respite feel like a vacation for me, if not really so for her.    

One of the many meals I cooked during COVID.
How my hair looks when my very talented stylist does it. I wish I could do so well!

I realize that I do not slow down enough, always on the go with a myriad of activities that keep me busy.   The last movie I saw at the theatre was The Notebook, and before that Sabrina and Forrest Gump. You probably can’t remember how long ago those movies were at the theatre! I do not watch movies on TV either, so the ability to do so is a pleasure I am enjoying. Have you seen The Holiday, Miss Congeniality, It’s Complicated, the Other Woman, or The Proposal? I encourage you to find a weekend in which you can TV movie binge and watch these movies. While I enjoyed them all, my favorites were The Holiday and It’s Complicated.

Judy’s daughter (and my namesake, the “Patti“ part!) Patti Anne, her husband Justin, and children Suzy and Jake. 
A memory from 1978, me holding Patti Anne.

January and February are slow months, good times for us to slow down. We should not need a friend’s shoulder surgery to give us a reason to do so. Whether it is watching movies, catching up on our reading, or even doing something more active that we do not have enough time to do when life is busier, enjoying these slower months can provide us a much-ended respite.  

It won’t be long before I will be back in North Carolina, looking back on this week with fond memories and a few extra pounds, treasuring this time spent with a dear friend.

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How is It Going So Far This Year?

Posted on January 4, 2024 by Patti Fralix

Four days into 2024, how is it going for you? Did you make New Year’s Resolutions? If so, have you kept them? Whatever your plan for the changes you want to make this year, daily focus is required. When we think of changes we want to make, daily changes are doable. If we try to focus on even a month of those changes, they can seem overwhelming. I recommend we start slowly, even set the bar low, and rejoice over our success.

Make time for Cappuccino!

Of course, we want to make changes that will last more than a day. Our goals need to be for longer than a day. I recommend that we set yearly goals, maybe even five-year goals, and then determine what changes we need to make on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis to achieve those goals. But if we take it one day at a time, we are more likely to be successful.

Important attributes of effective people.

One of your goals/New Year’s resolutions may be to lose weight. Be specific. How many pounds do you want to lose, in what period of time? Be clear about those specifics. Once you have determined the specifics, then decide what daily changes need to be made for you to accomplish your weight loss goal.

Next, decide what activities are important for you to be successful and lose the weight you want to lose. There are many at your disposal. The most important is to consume fewer calories and (probably) increase your physical activity. Then monitor your progress daily. This may include weighing daily, or not. That is a personal choice. It helps me to weigh daily, and that has been my pattern for many years. Except when I am traveling. While I sometimes travel with my scale, and I did have it with me the week we were in GA for Christmas, I left it in the car most of the time. I really did not know if I had maintained my weight, gained, or lost. I thought I had probably gained a couple of pounds and was surprised when I returned home and weighed and had actually lost a couple of pounds. That was a pleasant surprise.

The most common New Year’s resolutions are to lose weight, to stop drinking alcohol, and to reduce debt. My focus in 2024 is to reduce debt. This will be harder for me than losing weight and becoming alcohol-free. I met my weight loss goal and became alcohol-free in 2019. I stopped drinking alcohol on May 7, 2019, and rejoined Weight Watchers, and got serious about my weight loss journey on  May 16, 2019. In 2024, I will celebrate the fifth anniversary of making both changes.

Make “Yes, I Can” your mantra!

It is easier for me to remain alcohol-free and even to stay within my weight goal than it will be to reduce my debt. I am, however, committed to this goal. I will keep you posted on my progress.

Give yourself flowers.

How about you? What will it take for you to feel successful in keeping your 2024 New Year’s resolutions? While most people refer to the changes they decide to make at the beginning of a year as New Year’s resolutions, I prefer to discuss New Year’s resolutions as commitments to ourselves. When we make a commitment to ourselves, it seems to carry more weight than a resolution.

Whatever you call them, New Year’s resolutions or commitments, let’s think of them as promises to ourselves. I wish you great success in keeping your promises to yourself. I would love to hear from you about your progress and help you in any way that I can. Check in with me and let me know how it is going.

You can do it! Daily focus is the key.

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