"Out with the old and in with the new" is how I feel about 2014. It has been a very difficult year for my family. We've experienced job losses, deaths, unexpected expenses, illness, etc. Seems like every time I turned around, I was hit with some other difficulty! Yes, all of this has affected several areas in my life including school and my ambassador duties. 2014 has not been a good year for me, but it has taught me valuable lessons.
1) Prepare for your financial future. Even if it's just putting back a few dollars a week, every dollar you save will help you during difficult times. Being frugal can pay off! You never know when you may experience a sudden job loss and need to rely on a savings account.
2) DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!!! None of us are promised tomorrow. When life's complications change our typical routine/schedule, it's easy to fall behind on responsibilities. Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize! If you have spare time, be productive. Do what needs to be done when it can be done. Don't wait until it's too late.
3) You CAN teach an old dog new tricks! Sometimes we have to take on new challenges and step outside of our comfort zone. No matter how young we are, or how old we are, we still have much to learn and should not limit ourselves. Do not accept less than you deserve.
I look forward to this next year being a year of positive change. I'm reflecting back at what did not work out for me during the past year and making efforts to change what is needed, and not allowing history to repeat itself. In 2015, daily scheduling will be a must for me. I will organize and coordinate my daily activities. This will enable me to keep priorities in order and be able to keep my life in better order. I will have a board hanging in my home office that will help me stay organized. It will also be a visual reminder, which I tend to need at times. My goal is to graduate in 2015 and I am determined to do just that!