Keeping on the right path in 2009

Just like age, the date is just a number.

So don’t fret that 2009 arrived and you haven’t committed to any New Year’s resolutions.

In fact, consider a resolution to change how you approach goals so you meet them this year, suggests life consultant Jim Weinstein.

“The first thing is to set realistic expectations,” he said. “You really need to sit down and ask, ‘What are the priorities in my life?’ ”

Whatever the answer and resultant goals, experts agree that it’s vital to follow a plan.  “If we don’t have a real plan, including how to deal with possible roadblocks, that can mean we never meet the goals,” said dietitian Janet Litwack of Greater Washington Dietetics LLC, based in Silver Spring.

Start now with these strategies:

Goal: Spend quality time with family and friends

— Negotiate boundaries. Talk to your employer to set time limits, said Bill Pullen of Pullen & Associates in Washington. Recognize there may be trade-offs, such as slower promotions.

— Control your time. If you routinely answer e-mails at 11 p.m., others will expect such responses. Set and keep boundaries.

— Don’t make excuses. Many dismiss work boundaries as unrealistic due to the poor economy but say the same thing during economic booms. “Take charge of your life,” Litwack said.

— Track your time on a calendar and regroup each week, Weinstein said.

Goal: Lose weight

— Team up. Sign on with a dietitian, Weight Watchers or a buddy to receive positive suggestions and encouragement, Litwack said.

— Work in stages. One week, go to the gym. The next week, drink more water. Don’t completely overhaul your lifestyle at one time, Pullen said.

— Think steps. Instead of trying to eliminate all soft drink consumption, reduce the amount. It’s more realistic and can have a major effect on weight, Litwack said.

— Reward yourself. A movie, flowers or other small treat will positively reinforce goals, said life coach Aurelia Williams of Real Life Coaching in Washington.

Goal: Volunteer

— Don’t overextend. Begin volunteer service with a half-day or one-day stint, said Robert Rosenthal of VolunteerMatch (volunteermatch.org), which offers services in Washington.

— Consider virtual volunteering. Not only does that allow you to volunteer from home, but you can provide services to those organizations that aren’t in your area.

— Don’t become disheartened. The point of volunteering is to work together to meet large goals. Don’t feel you need to do it all.

— Use your skills. Many organizations need help from such professionals as graphic designers. Using your professional skills can make volunteering more rewarding.

Goal: Reduce debt

— Consider online services such as mint.com that track spending and offer budget modifications. Sure, you can do that work yourself, but it’s a tedious process that many abandon, said Jim Ludwick, founder of MainStreet Financial Planning in Washington.

— Don’t make drastic cuts. Rather than cutting all cable service, look for lower-cost packages or save money through babysitting swaps and carpooling, Williams said.

— Predict your behavior. If you wouldn’t file a $700 auto damage claim, why have a $500 deductible? Boost your deductible and start saving, Ludwick said.

— Don’t stop investing in your retirement account. The investments will pay off when the economy recovers, Ludwick said.

Goal: Save energy

— Start small. Look at the obvious, such as turning down the thermostat a few degrees and turning off lights in unoccupied rooms.

— Challenge yourself. Look at daily waste, such as plastic bottles and baggies, and invent eco-friendly ways to replace them, said Gay Browne, founder of Greenopia, a consumer service that recently expanded to D.C.

— Go to energystar.com. The site lists low-cost and free ideas to increase energy efficiency.

— Block window and door drafts. Energy leaks can be stemmed with towels or covers saving energy and heating costs.