Summertime is here! That means barbecues by the pool, fourth of July celebrations, and summer vacations.

It could also mean setting new goals for yourself. With the beautiful weather, getting outside is a great way to kickstart a weight loss program or simply improve your health. Traveling more or taking more time for yourself is also good for the mind, body and soul. But do we do it? For many of us, life gets in the way and oftentimes we don’t know how to change past behaviors to make way for new ones.

I challenge you this summer to pick one thing you’d like to change. Maybe it’s starting a workout routine or meeting up with friends more often. Whatever it is, set a goal, make a plan and go for it! Make this a summer to remember! If you want to make health more of a priority, put going to the gym on calendar. Studies have shown that if a person puts an activity on the calendar, they are more likely to do it.

But if your goal is to make more time for fun, maybe not everything should go on the calendar. For example, a study out of Ohio State University found that scheduling a leisure activity like seeing a movie or taking a coffee break led people to anticipate less enjoyment and actually enjoy the event less than if the same activities were unplanned. Balance is the key to bringing more joy into our lives. If you want a little motivation, you may also want to read the book, Atomic Habits, by James Clear. In the book he talks about how to ditch bad habits in exchange for new ones and gives step-by-step instructions on how to do just that…build good habits and break the bad ones by making tiny changes for remarkable results.

And while you continue to work on building better habits, I also encourage you to take a look at your financial plan. Is it in line with your goals, particularly if you have created new ones this summer? A good financial plan can help build balance and bring peace of mind to help you focus on other things.

If you are ready to make real change in your life give me a call at (530) 753-4195 or send me an e-mail at mark@prattfinancial.com. I would be happy to discuss how a well thought out financial plan can allow you to focus on what’s most important to you.

As a financial adviser with more than 35 years of experience, I know a thing or two about investing, and I can help you understand what a sound financial strategy can mean for you.

Go Giants! And don't forget to have a fun-filled summer.