New Year’s Resolutions That Are Fundamentally Strong
Here we are again. the beginning of a new year, and yet another opportunity to pronounce another proverbial new year’s Resolution that will make improvements about ourselves. Most of us decide to take actions that drive us to kick aside bad habits, while others just want to try something new in their lives. Some people simply add new things to their bucket list that they want to accomplish or experience in the new year. Whatever the motivation, and no matter the goal, the new year presents new opportunity to accomplish more than we did in the past.
A new year isn’t meant to serve as a catalyst for sweeping character changes. It is a time for people to reflect on their past year’s behavior and promise to make positive lifestyle changes. I am often amazed, this time of year, at how we seem to distinctively draw that line between one year and the next, rather than making these choices and decisions progressively throughout the year and throughout our lives.
Why are we waiting until next Monday (January 1, New Year’s Day) to start something new or kick bad habits aside. Let’s start today. <Tweet This>
It’s never too late to turn a new page, or to start a new chapter in your book of life. For others, their goal is to accomplish the goals of 2017 which they should have done in 2016 because they made a promise in 2015 and planned in 2014. And, there are some people who absolutely resent the notion of making new year’s resolutions. For those people, making new year’s resolutions implies that they need to change. I guess they think they’re perfect just the way they are. But, shouldn’t we always be resolving to improve? Shouldn’t we be building a list of goals and objectives all the time that are fundamentally strong? Isn’t it important and valuable to aspire to achieve these victories throughout our lives? If we are in a position to set resolutions to make improvements, or to take definitive action to destroy behaviors that have prevented us from advancing, we are obviously fighting these battles now.
As we enter the new year, we have 3 decisions:
1. What will I leave behind?
2. What will I bring with me?
3. What can I create that’s new?
First, we must reflect on the lessons we’ve learned along life’s journey to this point. We must consider the mistakes we’ve made, particularly with past resolutions. Maybe they were unrealistic or unattainable. Maybe we weren’t fully prepared to follow-through with the promise we made with ourselves or others, or there were challenges and setbacks we didn’t anticipate. When making new resolutions, we should consider our strengths, and be totally honest with ourselves about our weaknesses.
Second, we need to answer a few questions before truly deciding what actions we are going to take to achieve victory in 2018. Just like going into battle, we have to make decisions on what we will need to achieve victory. What are our priorities? What resources will we need to effectively and efficiently reach each milestone? Of the resources we have available, which are the ones that need improvement? How and where can we blaze new trails to reach new destinations in our lives?
Last, our choice of resolutions should be unselfish. We must think of those around us when determining what we are going to set out to achieve. What impact will our choices have on those around us? Your new year’s resolution should be as much for those around us as it is for ourselves. We should do something that benefits everyone. For those of us who are leaders, making resolutions amounts to creating a vision, then determining a set of action steps to accomplish each task along the road to victory. The principles, virtues and values that go into these intentions considers many of the same thought processes an individual takes when deciding to improve something in their lives, or to take deliberate action to accomplish something monumental. No matter if we are a leader of a team or organization, or someone who has important goals to accomplish, it will be important to establish a clear vision for what we are setting out to achieve.
“Success is the ability to visualize what you want to do next with your life — what you want to be, do, and have in life — and to enjoy that process of moving toward that vision, achieving it, and creating new visions.” ~ Norma Carr Ruffino
Keeping It Real –
Making new year’s resolutions requires a certain attitude, focus and commitment. It requires a discipline that is firm and unwavering. Discipline is easy to talk about — but difficult to practice without the right motivation. And being continuously motivated and inspired to achieve anything in life can be challenging. Let’s be honest; it’s not easy. We have too many distractions and negative impulses, as well as constraints on our time. Some might say that our struggles with resolutions is mind over matter; we don’t mind because it doesn’t matter. But, we must have a strong desire to succeed and be determined to stick to it. Here are a few keys to success:
1. Identify a tangible and legitimate resolution that will improve or enhance your life. Make it relevant.
2. Avoid making one overwhelming and sweeping change. Smaller, more attainable resolutions will help you reach for whatever you are striving to achieve.
3. Specify the improvements you want to make, listing their priority of importance and completion. Then specify the tasks, behaviors, resources and/or requirements that will fulfill every aspect and obligation of the resolution
4. Recognize and plan for the constraints and challenges that may cause you to fall back or fail. Prepare yourself mentally and/or physically for those pitfalls, and gain the necessary resources and support mechanisms to overcome them.
5. Set several milestones with attainable time-bound gates. Hold yourself to a schedule, and track your progress.
6. Start with small, attainable goals to start. It is important to gain confidence in your efforts, and winning a few smaller battles will strengthen your resolve.
7. Remain focused, and do not give in to complacency or laziness. Use the lessons you learned with past resolutions to drive yourself to success. There is no substitute for victory.
8. Improvise, adapt and overcome. You may have to change your plans along the way, but do not change your vision. You have set a firm goal and resolution; DO NOT turn back after stubbing your toe or stumbling. Don’t beat yourself up if you fall back, even if it seems your setbacks are insurmountable to recover from. Remember, minor missteps are perfectly normal, and they may seem far greater than they really are. Face it, you’ll have ups and downs. But, you must resolve to recover from your mistakes and get back on track.
Resolutions For You and Those Around You To Become Fundamentally Strong –
No matter what we choose to do (or, not do) in 2018, there are some virtuous things we can do to improve our lives, and the lives of those around us. Each of the following four initiatives can be adapted to fit any person, situation, family, friend, team, company, etc. Each of these four things will make everyone better people and live lives worth living:
1. Inspire greatness among everyone you interact with by creating a positive, engaging environment.
2. Ensure that you, and everyone around you, are ready to face the challenges ahead, while strengthening the resources you’ll need to ultimately accomplish each and every objective.
3. Embrace failure as much as you do achievement. Use every situation as a teaching moment for you and others. Become a student, mentor or coach, as needed.
4. Take care of yourself physically and mentally to be a stronger person. And, encourage those around you to do the same. Build on strengths, tear down weaknesses.
With the new year upon us, we must take the time now to prepare to implement our new start. We have some time in the next few days to acquire the resources and to develop the habits that will make our resolution stick in 2018. As they say, there’s no better time than the present. Let’s get going on the new year’s resolutions that are fundamentally strong. Have a happy and successful new year. Good luck in accomplishing all that you set out to do, especially your new year’s resolutions.
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This article was adapted from a post written by Dale R. Wilson on his blog, Command Performance leadership, January 3, 2015: Resolutions That Are Fundamentally Strong. It has been edited and revised for publication today.
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Dale R. Wilson is a business and operations management professional with over 26-years experience managing service and distribution companies. He is a veteran of the United States Navy, serving from 1986 to 1994. He hosts the Command Performance Leadership blog, which discusses the synergies between military and corporate leadership competencies, and ties experience and knowledge from military leadership to its application in a corporate environment. He is also a proud member of the Military Writers Guild. You can follow him on Twitter @5StarLeadership.
