Are Your New Year’s Resolutions Realized, Read About or Rolled Over?

As the current solar calendar year turns ever closer to completing another lap, I can’t help but wonder if I actually accomplished any of the resolutions I had written down from last year.  Life felt very busy for me during 2021; however, not the kind of busy I had listed.  As a professional who spends most of my day developing plans for people to pay less tax and solving IRS tax problems, I really enjoy the thought process that goes into creating annual resolutions and specific goals.  Most years, my stationary of choice for resolutions is a colored Post-It note, but I have made use of digital versions too. 

Reflecting on the health and wellness resolutions of the prior year, I am afraid those can quickly be classified into the Rollover category.  While notable progress was made, consistency dropped off considerably in July, then again in October and finally in December, with the metrics looking just slightly better than the year before, if only by a rounding error. 

Family-based resolutions can proudly be stamped Realized.  For all of the downsides that have been highlighted while adjusting to life and learning through the pandemic, I must admit, working from home has allowed me more time with my immediate family than ever before.  We have shared daily meals together and most days I have been able to walk the kids to school which used to be done by a hired caregiver or relative.  I actually do miss our commercial office environment, but not as much as I have enjoyed my interactions with my wife and kids.

The resolutions I had listed regarding my professional development and practice ended up a mixed bag.  Some will Rollover and some will be Read About.  I furthered my dedication to tax planning and taxpayer representation but did not test for the additional professional credential in financial planning I thought I was going to achieve during 2021.  I don’t know that printing three additional letters after my name and CPA on letterhead will mean much to others, but it will be a reminder to me of the efforts it takes to stay focused.

As you reflect on your list of resolutions during these last few days of the year, where do yours line up? Have you made the accomplishment and Realized the goal or will you Rollover the unfinished resolutions into 2022?