Each year as the New Year starts, many of us take the time to set out goals for ourselves. Of course, these goals are unique to each of us, but many of us do share some common goals. Whatever your goals are, make you...you!
As I was cleaning out one of my old metal file cabinets (yes, I still had a 4-drawer metal file cabinet), I came across a file labeled "goals." It was from the 1980s and 90s when my charming bride and I were first married. While reviewing these goals, I enjoyed some chuckles on what we thought was important back when we were newlyweds.
Many of the goals necessary then, I would now consider to be...minor: Household items to buy, finding new opportunities for a higher income, repairs to the house, a vacation destination, etc. But the important thing was that the goals were written down, and a date was set for completion. We did this for dozens of years when we were first married, and then for some reason, after 20 years, we stopped creating the list. Now, after 40 years of marriage, reviewing what we thought was important on those old lists was like looking into a rearview mirror.
What Made Our Goals Work
For instance, I am surprised that almost every one of the goals was achieved, and I am satisfied that we actually completed many things we thought were important. An observation of why we were successful had some common themes:
- Writing down the goals motivated us.
- They had specific timetables.
- The big goals were projected in baby steps, and as the old saying goes, "How do you eat an elephant?" (a bite at a time).
- The goals were realistic.
Another observation was that there were additional handwritten notes in the margins on each sheet that reflected us pulling out the lists periodically and making notes on our progress.
So, reflecting on your resolutions or goals... who do they involve? Did you write them down? Create a timeline for reaching them? Whatever your resolutions over the years, those goals have made you...you! Taking time to plan today can help shape the tomorrow you want to see.
By David Edge
David Edge is a retirement lifestyle writer and contributor to the ARA monthly newsletter. His articles blend personal stories with practical insights on living well in retirement.
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Easy Eddie's Take
David's story about finding those old goal lists really hits home. Most people are surprised when they learn this, but the same goal-setting approach that worked for his household items and vacations works perfectly for retirement planning in 2026. Whether you're planning for Social Security benefits that start as early as age 62, managing Required Minimum Distributions from your 401k or IRA starting at age 73, or figuring out Medicare enrollment during your Initial Enrollment Period, breaking big retirement goals into smaller, written steps makes all the difference.
Here's what I see working best: Write down specific goals like "understand my Social Security benefit options by March" or "review my 401k contribution limits for 2026" (which is $23,500 for most folks, or $31,000 if you're 50 or older). Set those realistic timelines David mentioned, and check your progress regularly. Think of it this way - you wouldn't plan a cross-country road trip without a map, so why plan your retirement without written goals and deadlines?
A little preparation today can make a big difference tomorrow, and that's what makes planning ahead easy.