Is this the best way to start the year?

I am very grumpy. I’m irritable, light-headed and running with a pretty short fuse. Please forgive me if this column sounds a little insensitive, but I’m in that kind of space today. And I blame my wife. The problem (for me) is that she’s grumpy too!

We agreed at the conclusion of 2014 we would commence 2015 on a strict detox diet together – what a crazy thought to put into action. The consequences are now imminent and the flow-on emotional effects obvious to all around us. The good news is the physical results are also evident. We wanted to use this short, intense space of time to shed a few kilos, but more importantly to snap our behaviour back into line, back into a rhythm that is better for us.

Amidst the noisy grumbling of my stomach I hear myself asking is this the best way to start the year?

We all set patterns for our future to follow by our everyday behaviour. Our “normal” settings create a path we follow. A muffin or sausage roll every morning at 10am (oh, how I wish for just one of those!) quickly becomes normal, but it sets a pattern for your future waistline. These long summer evenings deserve celebrating with a glass of wine, or two, while the dinner grills on the hot plate. But the sugar in the wine accumulates in places that are not flattering when you plunge semi-naked into the pool or surf!

Your financial decisions every day determine your future. Where you are today in terms of money is your own fault! (Oops, sorry!) Sure, circumstances happen. But we are the masters of our destiny and we must take responsibility for how our decisions of the past affect our pathway of the future.

Why not use this as an opportunity to snap yourself out of your unhealthy patterns? Go on a financial detox for a month and develop a new pattern for a new future pathway. What about no credit card for 30 days; could you do it? And maybe avoid Trade Me and 1-day also while you’re at it; would you do it?

I teach people how to make cash their friend. What if you set up a system where you deal only in cash for a week? Then, stretch it to two weeks – the goal is to last a month. When you operate your finances in cash only for a period of time it completely changes the way you think about how you spend your money. Try it; you look like you could do with the help! (Sorry!)

You know, despite the physical discomfort and emotional roller coaster, this is the best way for us to start the year. I’m glad we have suffered through this short, intense space of time to create a new pattern. Suddenly we pay attention to what passes through our mouths, as we know how hard excess is to shed. What’s on the plate or in the glass does matter.

What about you – are you ready to shed that muffin?