Well, here we go again — a new year, and this year the start of a new decade. I’m really looking forward to 2022 and I can’t wait to start working toward my New Year’s Resolutions!
So many people now are telling themselves and others NOT to make New Year’s Resolutions. They have a bunch of reasons too. Let’s go through the ones I’ve heard the most and I’ll tell you why I strongly disagree.
Reason 1: You’ll never stick to them
Well, to be clear, I’ve made many resolutions that I have not stuck to, for various reasons.
- Sometimes I’ve forgotten all about them — in the past before I realized the power of the written word. Writing down my resolutions solved that one.
- Sometimes I changed my mind. I realized that the goal I set, was not the goal I actually wanted. So, course correct and carry on.
- Occasionally, I gave up. Either I wasn’t ready, didn’t quite think the thing through, or I took my eye off of the ball. These become lessons learned if we pay close enough attention and figure out why we gave up. It’s a tool for the future if used wisely.
- And, quite often, I simply didn’t know how to accomplish them. I had the idea but never worked out the details. As they say, the devil is in the details. That’s where better planning and execution come in. Learn from this mistake and course-correct again. And carry on!
With all of this in mind, why am I still bent on making New Year’s Resolutions again (and again)? Because there have been so many resolutions that I have kept!
Maybe not in the first month, or maybe not even that year, but I accomplished it eventually.
If I hadn’t been resolute about making them and working toward them, I never would have accomplished it.
Reason 2: You should be making resolutions every day, not once a year
I do set goals and make task lists every day, month, and quarter. I know how important it is to stay focused. I love Stephen Covey’s quote, “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” And what better way to do that than to constantly review your goals, update your task lists, and keep track of what’s important. So I do agree that it’s important to set intentions throughout the year.
But to me, New Year’s Resolutions have even greater importance. It’s a big-picture look. It’s the grand plan!
All of those other goals and intention lists and task lists all add up to your New Year’s Resolution list. For me, the list I create is a 1 year, 5-year, and 10-year list. It’s my lifetime achievement list. It’s my ultimate bucket list. And it helps me stay on track and keep the main thing the main thing.
Reason 3: You’re setting yourself up for failure
Show me one ultra-successful figure throughout history that hasn’t failed over and over and over again. So, go ahead. Set me up for failure, because when I get knocked down, I will keep getting back up. I’ll keep fighting. I’ll learn from my mistakes and I’ll keep striving, because eventually, someday, at some point, I will succeed.
Reason 4: You’ll be making the same resolutions next year
And maybe the year after that and the one after that again – until I achieve my goals. But every time I make that resolution, I’ll look to past first, figure out why I did not achieve it yet, course correct, and move forward knowing that I will achieve that goal. I will succeed.
So 2022, bring it on! I’m ready for you. I have my resolutions and I’m up for the challenge.
I hope you’re ready for me.
– John
PS. Ready to get 2022 off to a great start? Join me for a 4 Week 20 Minute Pilates Challenge where you will be given daily workouts to burn off those extra winter-time calories and get ready for summer! We also have an exclusive Facebook group so you can interact with me and other members of the JGTV community who have committed to the challenge. Join me here!
