New year resolution or new life resolution?

Each year we welcome a new year into our lives. All excited about what would come our way, what we would sign up for and what we would achieve. Now, just expand that time frame to a life time – what a daunting task it would be to comprehend the complexities and think of the way forth.

But, is it really that complicated? Yes, there will be times when you will need to work hard, go out of your comfort zone to put the life back on track. But, can you put overarching goals for your life that can help you decide your today, tomorrow and the future actions?

Ultimately the goals for all us are made up of a few components:

• Build a personality for self

a.      Be loved

b.      Be respected

c.      Be smart

d.      Have the ability to stand for your convictions

• Make the people you care for successful

a.      The people who you care for most: mom, dad, spouse, kids

b.      The people who you want they care for you: friends, professional relatives

Now, each one of us would like to achieve the above. May be the formula to success for each one of us has a different flavor and weight for each of the above. But, this forms the base for why we do what we do. What we get tangled in a lot of time, is what do we need to do to provide for the above? And this question inadvertently always starts with how much money do we need to provide for the above?

So, let’s talk about money! I once happened to have a very abstract conversation with my dad. I asked him what does happiness mean to him? At age 60, close to his retirement from a job he served for 37 years he was already in the mode to reflect back. His answer was straight forward: I have raised kids who are all well settled, and I receive their love – this is happiness to me. I asked him if he knew any other person who was happy? I don’t think I got an answer to that. All the other people who I or he could think of have picked a fight their kids, or gulped their business partners share to provide for their expanding needs in the last few years. Definitely, such doings could not be the hallmark of a happy person.

So how much money, do you need after all? Each one for their own, but is there really a formula for it? The formula is difficult to get to, but here is a thought I have. Think of a time, when you could provide for all your family needs (once you have expanded your family to the extent you want to), and think were you spending a happy time with family? Meeting all major needs: kid’s education, travel and entertainment, gifts for relatives, mortgage, any thing else that makes the world go for you. Now freeze your requirement for money to that day. As you go along, you will need to adjust your need for money with the increasing needs and changing economy. But the key words here are “Adjust” and not “Expand” and “Needs” and not “Wants”.

I hope that all of us would be able to instill this in us, and think of the new year and the life ahead with the similar lens. Money and career are providers and not the end goals, and let us think of them as such.

Have a great new year, and a great life ahead!