The Suburbia News
1110 N. Hwy 175, Suite 3, Seagoville, TX 75159
Ph: 972-287-3277 Fax: 972-287-3278 E-mail: News@SuburbiaNews.com
Proudly Serving Balch Springs, Combine, Crandall & Seagoville.
NEW! A New Year and a New Beginning
By Bryan Golden
The New Year is a time of resolutions. It's a time when people commit to making a change in their life. Losing weight, changing jobs, saving money, making money, a new relationship, getting in shape, going back to school, or giving up smoking, are just some of the goals people set for themselves on January 1st.
Although it's possible for anyone to make a change or a new start, it takes determination, commitment, and persistence. A new goal must be your own. You have to really want it. Without a burning desire, your motivation will fade quickly. It's virtually impossible to make a change due to external pressure.
You may agree to what someone else wants you to do, but it's very difficult to succeed without an internal drive. So, in order to successfully make a change or reach a goal, you have to make sure it's what you really want.
Don't start off on the wrong foot by making excuses as to why you will probably fail. If you don't truly believe you can do it, you won't. People who do this will say something like, "I'll try to do it, but …” Or you may hear, "I tried before and it didn't work but I'll give it another go." Before you begin, make sure the only things you are telling yourself are, "I can," "I will," and "I will do whatever it takes."
A new beginning is a three step process. You have to first know what you want, formulate a plan to achieve it, and then take the necessary action to get it. Setting a specific goal is essential. The more detailed the better. If you want to lose weight, how much and by when? If you want a new job, what will it be and how much will it pay? If you want to save money, how much and how often?
Next, you need a plan. Just like your goal, your plan must be as detailed as possible. If you are going to lose weight, what will be your menu each week? Are you going to go on a specific diet, cut out certain foods, or just eat less? For finding a new job, what will be your strategy? Do you need a new resume? Will you look on line, in the classifieds, use an employment agency, network, cold call, or all of these? If you want to save more money, in what areas will you cut back? Do you know where your money is going? Have you created a budget?
You want your plan to be doable. The smaller the steps are, the more likely you will be to succeed. Any time you feel a step is too big, break it down further. It doesn't matter how small each step is so long as you keep going and never give up.
Losing 20 pounds may feel overwhelming, but dropping two pounds a month doesn't seem too bad. If you keep at it for 10 months, you will reach your goal. Saving $3000 might appear beyond reach, but cutting back $9 a day on family spending is manageable.
Finally, you must take action. The best goals and greatest plans will go nowhere without action. The reason you divided your plan into small sections is so it would be easy to take action, one day at a time. All you have to do is keep going, until you achieve your goal.
Bryan is the author of "Dare to Live Without Limits." Visit www.DareToLiveWithoutLimits.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a self-development expert, syndicated columnist, and professor. E-mail Bryan at bryan@columnist.com. Ó 2011 Bryan Golden
NEW! Inspire Philanthropy This Holiday Season
By Tom Locke
From the hottest electronics to the best-selling toys, one can quickly get inundated with ideas on the “best gift” for those on your gift list. With such pressures, it is easy for many people to fixate on the towering gift list instead of the spirit of the holiday season.
Consider a different approach to gift giving this season—one that will inspire philanthropy and put the focus on the importance of giving. A gift that inspires charity will encourage generosity and may ultimately change the culture of giving for your family.
Instead of spending a large amount of money on gadgets that will be out of date in a few months, consider giving cash to your children or other loved ones, with one caveat—they must donate that money to a charitable organization. Not only does the gift empower trust to choose an organization, it sets an example of how to be generous while creating a worthy activity for the family. If done over time, charitable giving may become embedded in your family’s giving patterns.
Explore additional ways to encourage philanthropy this holiday season. For example:
· Charitable gift cards. Instead of giving cash to a gift recipient, organizations such as Charity Choice (CharityGiftCertificates.org) and Global Giving (GlobalGiving.org) allow you to purchase a gift card that can be used toward a worthy initiative. Friends can use the card and select a charity or cause that is particularly meaningful to them. For example, with their gift, they can choose to donate to organizations that protect animals or send underprivileged girls to school in rural India.
· Give locally. Research local organizations and charities that would be a perfect fit for a family member or friend. Do you have a foodie in your life? Explore food pantries or local nonprofits that fight to end hunger and make a donation to that organization in a family member’s name.
· Gift planning. If you have more to spend this season, consider whether it’s time to make a significant gift that can bring joy to others for years in the future. Perhaps you want to endow a scholarship at a nearby seminary or you would like to become a sustaining member of your favorite charity. This type of giving allows you to participate in the fruits of your generosity—you may be able to assist in the selection of the scholarship recipient, for example, or get involved in a much-needed program at the charity you’re supporting. Organizations such as the Texas Methodist Foundation can assist in the process and help donors reap additional benefits from gift giving, such as increased income and generous tax savings.
While holiday gift giving can be stressful, it is important to remember the true spirit of the season. Choosing a gift that inspires philanthropy and impacts the lives of those around you is the perfect way to celebrate the season.
Tom Locke is president of the Texas Methodist Foundation, a statewide nonprofit organization offering assistance to United Methodists through investment, loan, leadership, stewardship, gift planning, and endowment services. To learn more, please visit http://www.tmf-fdn.org.
