Can we get honest with each other for a few minutes? I really like this time of year. Not the cold weather, but the wind down of one year and the ramp up to another. Christmas is behind us, New Years is upon us, and with that a season of reflecting back on what was, and seeking to establish new routines for what will be.
I always find it laughable when one banters on about resolutions they are making. Sadly, it normally does not take more than a few days to have those resolutions pushed off into next year, a seeming abyss that in reality gets further and further away, the older one gets.
The best laid plans often lead to nothing absent a plan to make them work. New Years resolutions are great ideas that rarely turn into change, and I for one think that is a shame.
The dictionary defines the root word of resolution, resolute, as follows:
Resolute - adjective - admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering
I like the sound of those words, if you failed to recognize it, those my friend are powerbroker words. Admirable, purposeful, determined, unwavering.
I don’t know about you, but those are words I want others to use when describing me.
But can I rock your world and thought process for a moment and suggest something. In most cases, those probably are not the words used to describe you, are they?
Here is the thing. Resolution requires change. Change is hard. Complacency is always the easier path. And before you know it, this new year will be over and you will be right back where you started.
Good ideas coupled with great intention that fails to garner results.
Might I be so bold as to suggest an alternative this year? What would it take for you to actually make a resolution, and commit to it fully and see it to fruition so that it becomes a new normal in your life.
The experts suggest that new things take 2-3 weeks to become new habits. In other words, if your resolution this year is to join (or return) to the gym, it will take 2-3 weeks of you being intentional about that for it to become a new normal. If that resolution is giving up something, perhaps smoking or unhealthy food, it will take 2-3 weeks of not consuming those items for that new norm to develop.
Remember, I told you ahead of time that change is hard. Real, life changing, course correcting change requires sacrifice and a commitment to establish a new normal that will in turn define the life you want to live.
I get it, it is not a lot of fun, and initially it will not be easy. But if I know anything I know this, nothing in life worth doing is ever going to be easy. And if you suck it up and recognize that it will take several weeks for these new habits to develop, you have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
So the challenge this week is really quite simple. Rather than a flippant remark about what you are resolving to do in the upcoming new year, why not spend some time challenging yourself with the things you’d really like to see accomplished, and set some goals that see you living your life to its fullest not only in this upcoming year, but for years to come.
I promise you that the reward far outweighs the sacrifice, and to me, that sure does seem like a good resolution.
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