Real Resolutions
Every new year, as a tradition, millions of people look at themselves and resolve to change who they are and how they live.
Gym memberships rise, then are forsaken. Diets are planned, then broken by the next holiday feast. Vows to curse no longer go right out the window the moment that idiot in the Prius cuts you off on the way to work. Promises to stop smoking turn into “…well maybe just one more to calm my nerves after a hard day.”
You get the point. We are human, we have grand intentions, and we fail, but we live on only to make more resolutions the next year.
I don’t.
I don’t make resolutions.
I don’t make unrealistic promises to make minor changes that I have no intentions on keeping. Nor, do I make grandiose devil’s bargains that I have no ability to payoff.
However, I do try to improve my life or make a dream come true every year. I just don’t go all in on January 1st trying to convince myself and others that THIS year will be different. That’s just inviting others to watch you fail, no thanks!
Try this approach instead! Make small changes that are powerful and realistic enough to inspire you to keep going, avoid negative self-talk, and lastly, never brag about the change you anticipate making because if you crash and burn, some of those watching will more than likely resort to one of the following:
- Laugh while enjoying your failure;
- Show zero interest in you or your resolutions; or
- Refuse to support you emotionally, financially or promotionally.
Ask yourself this: “What if I resolved to spend a year really changing my life?”
What would that even look like?
Well let’s give it a name first – achievable inspired change.
Achievable inspired change looks like opening the business you always wanted to, but were too afraid to take the first step. It’s not difficult to open a business – for starters, its just a matter of completing the required paperwork.
It looks like getting involved in your community, city or state by joining a county commission, running for the school board, organizing coalitions of voters, etc. There is always a need for people to serve.
It looks like the person who pulls the family together to start a scholarship fund for its next generation of family members and generations to follow. Creating a family’s legacy can start with just one act.
Start something that you will be proud to work towards.
Or, just keep right on paying for that monthly membership you don’t use, I’m just sayin’!
