Alva James-Johnson: Resolutions come with a price

I have a young friend who immigrated to Florida from Haiti about 10 years ago. Prior to coming, she had always envisioned America as a place where everyone was wealthy.

My friend reached that conclusion observing Haitian immigrants who occasionally visited their homeland. The way they dressed and the money they lavished on their relatives suggested they were living in a land flowing with milk and honey. It wasn't until my friend moved to Florida that she realized how much those immigrants had to work for everything they possessed. Some juggled two and three jobs to improve their lot in life. Others went back to school, or started their own businesses. My friend realized then that nothing comes easy -- even in America.

That reality is something we all should keep in mind as we start 2015. Many of us are making resolutions and envisioning a year with new possibilities. But it's important to remember that anything worth gaining comes with a price, and we will have to work to make our dreams reality.

So what are the resolutions that Americans will make this year? According the usa.gov website, many of us will vow to lose weight, volunteer to help others, quit smoking, get a better education, get a better job, save money, eat healthy, manage debt, drink less alcohol, reduce stress and recycle.

A number of those resolutions are already on my list and have been there for years. But I hope to actually make progress this time around.

Wishful thinking, maybe. But at least I'm still trying to improve, and that's a human quality worth keeping.

Yet, I won't get very far just daydreaming about getting in shape, eating healthier or spending more quality time with my family. I will have to make those things a priority. It will mean getting off the couch and exercising when I don't feel like it, conquering my cravings for junk food and managing my time better. None of it sounds like fun in the interim, but the rewards could be enormous. The question is: Am I willing to pay the price?

To get started, I've developed a strategy based on a few things I've learned over the years. So if you're looking for a way to make the most of 2015, here are some steps that you might find useful:

1. Don't make pie-in-the-sky resolutions. That will only frustrate you. It's best to be realistic about what you can accomplish over a 12-month period and set reasonable goals.

2. Develop a strategy for reaching your goals. Write it down on paper and make sure to track your progress.

3. Going it alone only makes it more difficult. Surround yourself with others aiming for similar results.

4. Don't get discouraged. Success won't come automatically. So don't let occasional slip-ups get you down.

5. And when all else fails, keep the end in mind. Because it's where you're headed, not where you've been, that matters most.

That's all for now. Happy New Year, everyone!

Alva James-Johnson, 706-571-8521. Reach her on Facebook at AlvaJamesJohnsonLedger.

This story was originally published January 1, 2015 at 9:58 PM with the headline "Alva James-Johnson: Resolutions come with a price."