Did you make any resolutions this year? I know it’s hard when the world is in such a precarious state.
Resolutions are goals; not wishes. They were never meant to replace hard work and commitment.
Still, it’s disappointing when we fail to keep our resolutions.
Making a list of resolutions and tucking it in a drawer or in a file on your computer doesn’t work. Out of sight. Out of mind. Keep it where you will see it every day and form a plan of action. Then, break down the plan into manageable segments.
Make sure your goals are realistic, but not too easy. For example: Walking and chewing gum at the same time is a feat I’ve mastered, but running a mile in under three minutes isn’t a realistic goal for me. Something in between is achievable. I can start by walking a mile then work up to running a mile. Next, I can start worrying about my speed. Even if I never get close to a three-minute mile, I can keep the resolutions I set along the way. I’m still achieving goals and doing something positive for my health and self-esteem.
Resolutions also need to be things you can do for yourself or ways you can help other people. Making a resolution and putting the responsibility for achieving it onto another person doesn’t work. Also, making a resolution that you are going to help a family member or friend achieve a goal they might not want isn’t cool even if you think it’s for their own good.
You can resolve to buy healthier foods, cook healthier meals for your family, and plan family activities not centered around eating or sedentary pursuits. Resolving to be a better listener and a more supportive friend/parent/partner benefits you and everyone around you.
Lists are important for grocery shopping, packing for a trip, organizing your thoughts before a meeting, and many other functions, but they are useless without a plan. The thought you put into each list matters.
Which recipes do you plan to prepare? Did you make sure you have all the ingredients? Did you check to make sure you’re not buying spices you already have? If you’re going on a trip, you need to know something about the weather. Have specific activities been planned? Will you need clothes suitable to wear to an upscale restaurant? Will you be hiking or swimming? What’s your role in the morning meeting at work? Will you be asking or answering questions? Presenting a sales pitch? Be prepared to make your list work for you instead of the other way around.
Resolutions don’t need to be monumental or life-altering. They only need to make you happier, and right now, all of us could use a little more happiness.