When the ancient Romans created the calendar we know today, they named the first month, January, after the Roman god, Janus.
For those who don't know this tidbit of my background, I took Latin as my foreign language in high school. My three years of Latin fulfilled the requirement for college admission and gave me an appreciation for ancient Roman history and culture.
However, you don't need to be an ancient civilization expert to know that Janus is the Roman god of doorways, gates, beginnings, and endings.
Janus is kind of like the word "Aloha!" - it can mean both hello and goodbye.
Below is a picture of this mythical god, Janus, unmistakably looking forward and backward.
It is clear why the Romans named the first month of the year January.
New Year Reflections, Resolutions, and Planning
In the spirit of Janus, one of the most valuable New Year activities is to reflect on the good, the bad, and the most important people in your life. By understanding the past, you can prioritize the good things for next year and minimize or eliminate what doesn't work for you.
Author Tim Ferriss practices a past year review process written about here, and I'm sure there are countless other variations.
The purpose is to clarify what worked and what didn't. Then, schedule time to do more of the good so there is less opportunity for the bad.
The ongoing process of financial planning is very similar. Our plans and lives do not move in a straight line. Each year presents its opportunities and challenges.
As much as we would like it to be straightforward, life is messy, dynamic, and constantly changing, such as in the following drawing.
And the more we've been a partner in financial planning, the more I understand that goals might be a tangible idea for something more profound, more emotional.
For example, the list of goals below can be tied to the emotional state they might fulfill.
Retire by age 60 → Independence, autonomy, security
Travel → Freedom, adventure
Pay for college → Support, love, guidance, development
Donate to charity → Generosity, altruism, legacy
Continue working → Purpose, mentorship, achievement
Passion project → Creativity, meaning, discovery
Golf → Activity, relationships, solitude
Exercise or diet → Healthy, happy, wellbeing
As you wrap up the year and inevitably think about resolutions or "goals", try to take a step back. Like Janus, work backward before thinking ahead.
Reflect on the past year - what worked, what didn't.
Schedule time for more of the positive.
For bonus points, consider what emotion your goals are trying to fulfill. By tying these concrete ideas and activities to your underlying purpose, you might find it more meaningful or discover other ways to achieve the same feeling.
Aloha, Happy New Year! See you in 2024!