To Resolve or Not to Resolve
Are New Year’s resolutions still being made and broken each year? I’m not too sure if the trend has been forgotten amongst the cool people—I know I never really much got into it myself.
I did however make two failed resolutions in the passed two years. The experience has lead me to resolve not to resolve this year – probably. Unless I can figure out where I went wrong and fix it.
Where do so many of us go wrong in our promises to ourselves? And how come many of us forget about our resolutions until 364 ½ days later?
One of my own problems was that one of my failed resolutions had too many layers. There wasn’t enough focus on what I actually intended on getting out of it. And, if I was going to be realistic – I’d need more than a year to accomplish the goal.
So I set out on January 2nd thinking that I was going to do (insert embarrassing failed resolution), but I had no plan of attack. Since it was something that I was completely unfamiliar with – I didn’t know where to begin. I tried starting (embarrassing failed resolution) on my own, and realized that I needed professional instruction. And when my watch and my wallet revealed that I could not afford that professional instruction – I quit.
Another failed attempt included mending a broken relationship with some family members. I did try. I did want to mend that relationship. And I would still love to. Unfortunately, the other parties involved did not share my wish. I did not have complete control over my success in fulfilling this resolution. And, I let go of the effort.
If I make a New Year’s resolution this year it will be one that I actually see though to the end.
If you plan on making a resolution this year – make it one that you will see through to the end as well. Choose something that you actually want and need to accomplish – not something you think you should do.
Be sure that your goal has a clear focus – something very basic. And, try to stick to one or two resolutions at the most. Maybe one business and one personal promise to your self – remember you already have tons of goals to work on with your start-up.
If you are choosing something that may require professional assistance, like learning yoga or Spanish or creating a better diet – make sure you have the monetary means to cover the expenses.
Choose resolutions in which you have complete control over your own success. If you want to mend fences with estranged loved ones – resolve to open the lines of communication and be patient with the progress. In this case, do not set a goal date for when you and your long lost Uncle Bernie will be riding bikes at the beach again. Relationships take time. Every relationship is different. But, if you tell yourself that you are going to fix things alone – you will be sorry. If you are the only one making an effort, then the relationship won’t be very fruitful for you.
Lastly, tell a friend about your resolution. Sometimes vocalizing our goals to a trusted person makes them more of a reality to us. It also gives us the sense that someone supports our efforts. If you tend to be a very giving person, and your new goal is about self-improvement – I highly recommend letting your best friend in on your intentions. They can keep you on track when you argue that you may be more useful volunteering at the community garden (or something charity-like) AGAIN.
Goals are wonderful, but I really don’t like to say I’m going to do something that I don’t do. Make 2007 the year you accomplish something wonderful for yourself.
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