new year attention

Most years don’t fall apart because we lacked ambition.
They fall apart because we skipped the quiet, practical stuff that keeps life steady.

You don’t need better goals right now. You need attention.

This isn’t a resolution list. It’s a yearly check-in. The kind of things that don’t change your Instagram feed but absolutely shape your peace.

Nikki and I try to revisit these every year. Not perfectly. Just honestly.

Attention Checklist

Things worth reviewing at the start of every year

Life and Legal Basics

Not urgent until they are.

• Life insurance
  Still appropriate for your current season of life?

• Beneficiaries
  Updated everywhere, not just “most places.”

• Will or trust
  Do you have one, and does it still reflect your wishes?
  We use Trust & Will because it removed a lot of headach and helped us actually finish the process.

• Power of attorney and healthcare directive

  These conversations are uncomfortable, but clarity here is a gift to your family.

• Important documents
  Birth certificates, social security cards, passports, titles. Know where they are.

Pause for a moment:
If something unexpected happened, would this bring clarity or confusion for the people you love?

Family and Household

This is about reducing friction!

• Family rhythms
  Meals, rest, connection. What’s realistic this year?

• Calendar load
  Are you already tired just looking at it?

• Responsibilities
  Are expectations clear or just assumed?

• Home maintenance
  HVAC, filters, smoke detectors, gutters. Small things add up. Shameless plug checkout HPS if you need some help!

• Emergency plan
  Fires, storms, medical situations. Does everyone know what to do? We don’t do this well!

Ask yourself:
What would make our home feel calmer?

Financial Awareness

Not a full overhaul. Just honesty.

• Income sources - Anything changing this year?

• Monthly expenses - What quietly crept up last year?

• Debt snapshot - No shame. Just name it.

• Emergency fund - Even a small buffer matters. (1000 would be a good start)

• Giving - Are we intentional or reactive?

• Subscriptions - If you’re not using it, it’s probably time to cancel it.

Ask yourself:
Do I know where my money is going, or am I hoping it works out?

Faith and Inner Life

This is about alignment.

At the start of each year, we recommend a simple rhythm, Reflect • Refine • Reinforce.

• Reflect - What did the last year shape in you?

• Refine - What needs adjusting, releasing, or strengthening?

• Reinforce - What practices are worth carrying forward?

This isn’t about fixing yourself.
It’s about paying attention to what God has already been forming.

Ask yourself:
What has my soul been trying to tell me that I’ve been too busy to hear?

Personal Health and Capacity

You don’t get extra credit for running on empty.

• Sleep - Protected or sacrificed?

• Movement - What do you actually enjoy? Try the 30 for 30 Challenge

• Medical checkups - Annual physical, dental, vision. While this is true and we both go to the doctors, I do not do this well)

• Stress signals - What shows up first when you’re overloaded?

• Margin - Is there any breathing room in your life?

How to Use This Without Overwhelm

Don’t try to tackle everything at once.

• Pick one category per week.

• Talk it through with your spouse or family.

• Write down what needs follow-up.

• Schedule what matters.

• Let the rest go.

The win isn’t checking every box. The win is starting the year aligned instead of reactive.