It's that time of year again. The old year is departing and a new one is approaching. It's that time of year when we reflect back on what was and what could have been, but also look forward to what can be. A time when some people make resolutions.
A resolution is something YOU can do that doesn’t rely on another person. In other words, you can reach the goal without depending on anyone but yourself. Find true love, for example, is NOT a resolution - that is a wish, a hope or a desire. It requires the action of another. Make new friends also would not qualify since it also depends on others.
Resolutions involve goals - something you can achieve by your own actions.
You are more likely to keep a resolution IF you make goals that can be achieved and that can be broken down into smaller steps. Instead of saying “I want to lose weight”, set a concrete goal. I want to lose 3 kgs in 3 months time. Then think of steps to achieve it. I will lose 1 kg the first month, another kg the 2nd month and a third kg the 3rd month.
Most people give up on their resolutions because either their goals are too general or they don’t see progress because they didn’t plan increments.
It also helps to make a note of your Resolutions. Maybe print them and place them where you can see them every day as a reminder. I honestly don’t remember if I made any Resolutions last year. I had just returned to the US and was getting resettled. I didn’t keep a copy at hand if I did. In addition, you are more likely to keep trying to achieve your goal if you tell another person about it. Accountability. If we keep the resolution a secret that only we know, it is easier to stop.
This year I don’t have a lot of Resolutions. I have some hopes and wishes but few concrete goals. I do plan to finally finish reading the BBC 100 (BBC’s Big Read 100). I only have 7 books left to read on that list.
How about you?
Comments
My friend, actually in the past when I make a crowded list of achievements which I hope to gain its fruits in the New Year, there are always some new resolutions sneak upon it. So, I used to be confused. Add to that, I had several unaccomplished resolves. Therefore, I decided to stop making any table. All what I do; I just accustomed myself to take responsibility for me so, in this way I could be pretty hunger to accomplish, comfortably, all my decisions in good way, for my own good.
Finally, thanks for sharing us such a wonderful topic. Happy New Year. God bless you my friend.
Making New Year resolutions requires a certain type of personnality that likes planning. Well, that is not me for sure. I've made a resolution not to make any resolutions! Just go with the flow and make spontaneous decisions. It will save me the trouble of feeling guilty for not carrying out my plans.
Someone who needs New Year's resolutions should wonder why they always wait until the end of the year with plans like this? A year usually has 365 days, even 366 every four years. That is enough time to do something, and resolutions are only as good as their implementation.
A plan is just a plan, but only the result counts.
It's because the end of one year is a good opportunity to take status of where you are and where you want to go. You could do it another day but one is less likely to do so. And I cover the implementation.
If you have a regular schedule to review it doesn't have to be the New Year. The New Year is just convenient.
My wish for 2022 is going abroad if Corona disappears for good.