Pretty Lights and Other Distractions

The holiday lights are up and everyone is in a festive mood. Doorbuster deals and late store hours make getting everything on your list (and more), all too easy. It's rather effortless to get caught up in the season and lose focus of your goals, mentally, physically and financially.

Although the holiday season only comes once, it is not entirely different from other distractions that occur during the rest of the year.

Instead of Christmas music, it is the start of American Idol. Instead of glittering lights, it is the new car your neighbor just bought.

If we allow it, these things will eat up our time (TV watching) and our emotional energy (envy). The problem is that most of us don't realize that these small distractions are adding up to huge detours from our goals and purpose.

Our goals are not the only things that fall victim to distraction during the holidays. The average American will put on an extra 5-10 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. Evil creations like Danish Butter Cookies and spiked egg nog are handed out with so much holiday cheer that they are nearly impossible to refuse.

Start taking inventory of the unnecessary things you allow to rob you of your time and emotional energy.

Don't start the new year with the same two items on your resolution list year after year: get out of debt and lose weight. Let 2012 be "The Year of Focus" and start now!