{"id":5529,"date":"2025-12-30T22:34:42","date_gmt":"2025-12-30T22:34:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beyondfinance.com\/blog\/?p=5529"},"modified":"2026-05-08T17:56:56","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T17:56:56","slug":"new-year-real-goals-setting-intentions-that-actually-last","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beyondfinance.com\/blog\/new-year-real-goals-setting-intentions-that-actually-last\/","title":{"rendered":"New Year, Real Goals: Setting Intentions That Actually Last"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Reviewed by <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.beyondfinance.com\/blog\/author\/erasure\/\"><em>Dr. Erika Rasure<\/em><\/a><em>, PhD, CFT\u2122<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">January often arrives with pressure \u2014 pressure to reset, fix, and transform.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But Dr. Erika Rasure opened a recent client Financial Wellness session focused on the topic of \u201cNew Year Goal Setting\u201d with a different invitation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cJanuary is arguably my most favorite month\u2026 Every January, we spend the month helping you lay a really good foundation for the rest of the year.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead of rushing into resolutions, she encouraged something deeper:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cSometimes we get excited \u2014 new year, new me \u2014 but we\u2019re not really sure why we\u2019re setting goals in a way that gives long-term sustainability.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This session, led by accredited financial therapists Dr. Rasure and Nathan Astle, focused on the do\u2019s and don\u2019ts of New Year goal-setting, starting with one essential truth &#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Do Start With Your Feelings, Not Your Numbers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before writing down a single goal, Dr. Rasure emphasized this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cOne of the biggest do\u2019s for setting financial goals\u2026 is to really understand and get in touch with your feelings and your emotions around money before we even get started.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nathan Astle explained why that matters:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cMoney is inherently emotional. You\u2019ve never had an unemotional financial experience.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Goals that ignore emotions often don\u2019t last.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cThe more we can learn to see our money as a psychological experience, an emotional experience, the more we can better help ourselves make goals and move toward them.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead of only asking <em>what<\/em> you want to accomplish, he suggested asking:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cWhat do you want to feel when it comes to your money? What do you want to be thinking? What do you want your behaviors to look like?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Do Make Goals About Who You\u2019re Becoming<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Astle encouraged us to shift away from purely numerical targets:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cLet\u2019s take this out of just \u2018I want these numbers to happen\u2019 and make it more about \u2018I want to be starting to do some different things with these numbers.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That includes compassion, mindfulness, and self-care:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cI want to be more compassionate to myself. I want to drink more water. I want to go on more walks. I want to be more intentional as I\u2019m making financial choices.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These things matter because:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cThis whole money journey is much more than just a numbers game.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Do Be Curious About the Stories You Tell Yourself<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Rasure spoke directly to the emotional weight many people carry into the new year:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cIn the financial planning world, we\u2019ve been taught that savings is good, a high credit score is good, and debt is bad. There\u2019s no gray area.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When someone\u2019s dealing with money struggles like debt, that conditioning often shows up as shame:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cIt makes you feel guilt, anxiety, stress \u2014 and in many ways, it makes you feel less than.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She encouraged clients to examine where those messages come from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cAre these things you\u2019re actually telling yourself, or are they things you\u2019re parroting that you\u2019ve heard other people or institutions say?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because debt rarely exists in isolation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cPeople come to the program from job loss, medical issues, divorce, death, scams \u2014 there are a million and one reasons.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Healing requires holding all of it together:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cThese aren\u2019t two separate entities. They\u2019re two things that can be healed together.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Do Practice Compassion While Taking Accountability<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Accountability matters \u2014 but so does context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cYou can take accountability for being in debt, but it\u2019s far more complex than that.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Rasure described this process as clarity emerging from fog:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cIt\u2019s like being in a foggy field where you can\u2019t see more than a hand in front of you\u2026 and once you gain clarity, the fog starts to lift.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That clarity allows you to release what doesn\u2019t belong to you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cBlame that can be placed somewhere else\u2026 that\u2019s when you can start moving forward.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Do Take Baby Steps (Rome Wasn\u2019t Built in a Day)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Astle offered a grounding reminder:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cMost of the time, debt didn\u2019t happen in a day \u2014 and getting out of it doesn\u2019t either.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead of overwhelming goals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cBaby steps. Maybe it\u2019s $20 a week. We don\u2019t have to change everything all at once.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even emotional goals can start small:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cI\u2019m going to start noticing what I say to myself after a financial decision\u2026 I\u2019m going to start naming my feelings out loud.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His favorite quote sums it up:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cLarge doors swing on small hinges.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Don\u2019t Set Goals Just to Escape Pain<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the biggest goal-setting don\u2019ts, according to Astle:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cWe don\u2019t want to set goals just for something we don\u2019t want \u2014 like \u2018I don\u2019t want to feel anxious.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cWe need things we\u2019re running toward. I want to feel more peace. More calm. More confidence.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.beyondfinance.com\/blog\/video-building-sticking-to-financial-goals\/\">Positive goals<\/a> feel different:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cIt\u2019s going to be more effective, but it\u2019s also going to feel different when you\u2019re trying to meet those goals.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Don\u2019t Compare Yourself to Others<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Rasure was clear on this point:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cThe biggest don\u2019t is comparing yourself to others in this process.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She reminded clients:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cWe don\u2019t know other people\u2019s financial situations\u2026 debt doesn\u2019t discriminate.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And progress matters more than perfection:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cFive dollars is five more dollars than you were able to do before.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The real question becomes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cWho is saying that $5 isn\u2019t good enough?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Do Plan for Joy \u2014 Even While Paying Down Debt<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Rasure challenged the idea that debt means punishment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cSo many of us feel like we have to put ourselves in debtor\u2019s prison \u2014 and that\u2019s a big mistake.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Joy still belongs in your life:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cYou don\u2019t have to stay in this space forever. You can save for things that bring you happiness.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether it\u2019s an emergency fund or a future Disney trip:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cYou are prioritizing a future self.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Astle reinforced that message powerfully:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cYou are worthy of a future. Debt is something you have \u2014 it\u2019s not who you are.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Closing Thought<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This January isn\u2019t about becoming someone new. It\u2019s about becoming more yourself \u2014 with clarity, compassion, and intention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As Dr. Rasure said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cNobody cares about your money as much as you do.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And as Astle reminded everyone:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cYou are worthy of dignity, a future, and preparation for that future.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s a foundation worth building on.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>January often arrives with pressure to fix and transform. Learn the do&#8217;s and don&#8217;ts of goal-setting that can help those resolutions stick!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":5530,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[166],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5529","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-your-relationship-with-money"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>New Year, Real Goals: Setting Intentions That Actually Last - Beyond Finance<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"January often arrives with pressure to fix and transform. 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