Resolutions For Life

So this week I have been getting into Oprah's Best Life Week, and honestly these shows have been on point. In fact, I have been inspired by Mother O so much that I have decided to actually come up with resolutions that will not just be goals for one year, but goals for the rest of my life. Also, in an act of motivating myself to succeed I am going to share my progress (be it triumphs or setbacks) with everyone at yougottea.com. First and foremost, here are my Resolutions for Life:

1. Balance My Budget
If you know me then you know that I am not the best when it comes to managing my money. Don't get it twisted, your girl is not some broke stunt queen over-drawing her account to make ends meet; nope that has never been me, instead I tend to live paycheck to paycheck. Because of this my savings and checking account are a little lacking. In wanting to take control of my finances and prepare myself for entering the world outside of college (only one year left), I have devised a plan.

**Step 1** Limit my eating out habits by actually buying groceries.
**Step 2** Cut back on miscellaneous spending (i.e retail therapy shopping trips).
**Step 3** Invest in savings accounts that will actually earn me money back. I am currently looking into opening an IDA account (for more info on IDA accounts go to http://www.cfed.org/ida/directory/).

2. Balance My Weight
I am calling an intervention on myself. Now I have never been nor wanted to be a thin chick, but I do realize that my waist line is getting out of hand. Also, after having a real health scare in my immediate family and another family member being a diabetic I know that now is the time to get healthy. Therefore I have decided:

**Step 1** Meet with a professional to determine what course of action I should take in being a healthier me without losing myself to crazy diets.
**Step 2** Get a workout plan that really works for me and I can stick to.
**Step 3** Stay motivated to keep going. So many times we say we are going to workout and lose the weight but we never do. So I have made it my mission to let my friends and family know what I am doing so they can motivate and encourage me when I need it.

3. Balance My Goals
As I am entering into my final year of college, I will be faced with all new challenges and obstacles to conquer. Moreover, I am realizing for the first time just how vast the "real world" can be and just how scary it truly can be. With that in mind I have decided to achieve all the goals that I have set for myself and not limit myself to achieving these goals within a strict time limit. Also, I have made a vow to:

**Step 1** Be more spontaneous and less serious. Sometimes you just gotta Pay It!!
**Step 2** Open myself up to others who can help me along my path, while letting go of the ones who no longer can.
**Step 3** Rediscover My Purpose and Execute that Purpose To The Best of My Ability.

So these are my Resolutions for Life. What are your resolutions? Do you even think you need to establish goals for life? Please let me know what you think, and check in as I post about my progress and insights that I make along the way.

"Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.” Karen Kaiser Clark

The Intellect