By Libby Banks, the Law Office of Libby Banks, PLLC, Estate Planning

If you’re like me, December is a time to think about New Year’s resolutions. This year I want to keep my resolutions, instead of abandoning them all before January is over. How to do that? I asked my fitness trainer, Janet McConnell, whose book “Elements of Aging Well: Wisdom from My Journey So Far” is now available on Amazon. She says the way to stay motivated is to dig deep and find the “why” behind your goal.

Your resolution: exercise regularly. Your plan: get up at 6 a.m. and get to the gym every weekday. But when the alarm goes off, the air is chilly and the bed is warm, hitting the snooze button sounds better. How to get yourself moving? Remember your “why.”

Why are you exercising? To keep up with your grandchildren, to live a longer life, or to make yourself feel more attractive.

Digging deeper into that “why” will make the difference between getting up to exercise and staying in bed. Why do you want to keep up with your grandchildren? Perhaps to avoid being left on the park bench or at home when the family heads for a fun activity. The “why” for staying healthy and living a long life? Perhaps it’s to be here to support your children, to be fit to travel, to enjoy the fruits of your labors. Looking good? The deeper why might be to find your true love, start a family, and have a happily ever after.
Keeping the “why” of your goal in mind is crucial to succeeding when the going gets tough.

Have you been putting off doing your will or trust? If so, knowing why it’s important can get you moving forward. Here are a few good reasons to do an estate plan.

1. It gives you peace of mind! You know you need to put some kind of plan in place. When you have done so, it will be a big load off your mind.

2. It protects you if you are incapacitated. If you can’t handle your finances or make healthcare decisions, your plan assures that the people you select can step in to care for you.

3. It shows your family you love them. When you die, it will be a huge loss for your family. You show them that you love them by making sure you don’t leave a mess behind. It’s agonizing for your heirs to deal with your estate when there is no proper plan.

4. It helps maintain family harmony. If you’ve set out your wishes in a proper plan, the chances of family arguments or drama are greatly diminished. Knowing what your wishes are helps to eliminate fights.

A first step to getting a plan in place might be to book a free initial consultation with me. Call 602-375-6752 or visit my website at libbybanks.com.