Every December, people make resolutions for the year ahead. And by February, most of those resolutions have already faded. The difference isn’t simply motivation — it’s the lack of a real process. The same is true with your money. Without a clear, easy-to-follow plan, even the best financial intentions drift away.
At home, my wife and I sit down at year-end and come up with our personal, financial, and family goals. Then we review them each quarter. We do something similar at Mainspring, except it has more to do with how we can better serve our clients while growing the business in a responsible, sustainable way.
Here Are the Basic Steps that Have Been Helpful for Me:
- Write down the goal – this seems simple, but few people actually write them down.
- Create simple, measurable steps that can become habits.
- Find an accountability partner – most of us struggle to hold ourselves accountable.
- Check in regularly on your progress – quarterly, at a minimum.
- Celebrate when you reach your goal(s)!
One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is tied to fitness. Many people start the year by joining a gym with the best intentions, but most stop going within weeks. Often, it comes down to a lack of clarity in what they’re looking to accomplish, no detailed plan, and no one to keep them accountable. That’s where personal trainers come in.
That’s how effective financial planning works. Our job isn’t just to help our clients create a plan; it’s to help them stay organized and on track — especially when life gets busy or when good habits naturally start to slip. Also, everyone is wired differently, so we customize each client’s experience: how and when they prefer to communicate, what they need to see to stay engaged, and what helps them follow through. It’s all about maximizing the odds of success.
Resolutions fade, but plans endure. As we enter the new year, we’re excited to continue supporting clients in reaching their goals.
