The last sands of 2019 are trickling out of the hourglass and where does it bring us? One step closer to a New Year resolution perhaps, for those who like to indulge.
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This year I've tried to be more generous, positive and smiley, as recommended by experts last year, and although it hasn't come naturally, by and large, it hasn't hurt.
It has to be said, however, that these airy fairy broad-brush resolutions are are a little hard to quantify in terms of direct personal benefit. So next year I'm aiming to nail it down a bit.
One of the major resolutions I'm planning to make is to plan to plan more. I could take it up a notch and plan to execute as well. But you don't like to write cheques you can't cash too early into the new year. Particularly with something as tricky as new year resolutions. Better to get those over-promises out of the way in late 2019 and start 2020 with a clear vision.
It's something I took up with my optometrist this week in a late run to claim on the health fund before it ticked over on January 1 - plan, execute, claim. Apparently, along with retailers, the last week of December is also the busiest time of year for Jetstar pilots, optometrists and orthodontists.
My optometrist assured me things won't be getting any clearer in terms of 2020 vision. Disappointing as this sounded on a resolution level, he wasn't getting poetic, just giving me the lowdown on my appalling eyesight.
And as counter intuitive as it sounds, things started to seem clearer as I struggled to identify the letters on the top row.
Squinting over the horizon into 2020 I resolved there and then to believe more in advice from experts, like my optometrist, and dismiss reflex consumer paranoia that everyone is out to upsell me.
Because even though I know they are, they are only doing so partly for my benefit and partly for the benefit of shareholders in my health fund, of which I am one, so full circle economy I suppose.
This was further reinforced by my dentist the week before after predictions that a tooth ache would require expensive, ongoing, but totally necessary treatment.
The advice was vindicated shortly after by an explosive oral reality that triggered a third major resolution for 2020, which is to listen more carefully to my dentist.
Even now you can see this resolution to plan to plan more is bearing fruit.
Indeed, I can now chew fruit and 2020 hasn't even ticked over yet.
And yes it is hard to completely exorcise reflex consumer paranoia, especially around Christmas, but if I plan to plan more and execute better in 2020, maybe buying presents next year won't be such a stress.
Hell, I might even take on full responsibility for organising Christmas dinner.
In the meantime, good luck with any individual or collective resolutions you care or dare to make for 2020, and a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year to all on every level.
