Making the Transition from This Year to Next

We all have different appetites for change, but next year will be here in hours, whether we're ready for it or not! So here are some simple but powerful things you can do to help you ring in the new year well and set yourself up for success.

1. Tidy Up

Seriously. It sounds cliche because it works. Start this year off with a clean and organized desk, desktop, My Documents, inbox, closet, kitchen, car...you get the idea. Where do you put the pile of stuff that you'll "deal with later"?

How's it stackin' up?

Take an hour to de-clutter your junk drawer, inbox, Spam folder, and other places you've been accumulating stuff throughout the year. Be brutally honest with yourself when you've got your cleaning cap on...

• Have you used/worn this item in the past 6 months?
• Do you have room for it?
• Do you have a use for it? 

2. Set a Goal

Call it whatever you want--New Year's Resolution, Life Goal--but find something you want to achieve or do in the new year. And don't set just any goal, set a SMART goal. Whether your goal is to learn a new language, lose weight, get that professional certification, make sure it fits the following parameters so you set yourself up for success:

Specific

 What, exactly, is your goal? For example, instead of saying "This year I want to be better with money," make it more specific, and try "This year I will put X dollars or X% of my paycheck into my savings account each month."

Measurable

How will you measure it? What checkpoints or milestones will you have along the way to indicate progress? Using the earlier example, perhaps we would say "If I'm on the right track, by March, my savings account will be about $X."

Attainable

Is this goal really feasible? Will your monthly expenses allow you to put away $X/month? Hash it out and run the numbers before you commit.

Relevant

Is this the right goal for you right now? Are there other goals that might make more sense?

Time-Bound

Granted, some goals involve a behavior change that will, ideally, outlast your original goal, but put a timeline on your goal. Are you saving money to purchase something specific, or go on a trip next year? How much money do you need to have saved by then? Include that in your monthly or quarterly milestones or check-ins to find out what percentage of goal you're at.

3. Spend Some Time Reflecting

There's been a lot that's happened this year. Take some time reflecting on all the great stuff that you've done, and if you need time to mourn some of the tough moments, then take that, too. Be intentional about what you bring with you into the New Year--because you deserve only the best things! So whatever negative things have haunted your year, let them go. They don't have a place with you if this year is going to be the best and brightest year yet! After all, your best days are still ahead of you.

What are you doing to ring in the new year/decade? Let us know on social media!