January 1st marks the beginning of numerous New Year’s resolutions. It’s always an interesting conversation starter to ask any audience (large or small) “do you create New Year’s Resolutions?”.
The problem, as I see it, with New Years Resolutions are that they are made in haste, as an opportunity to break self imposed standards during the holidays. So many people over spend, over eat, & over indulge in November and December with the claims that come January it will all turn around. I am however, not against making resolutions because I think it’s very important to have measurable goals and something to work towards.
My solution has always been to create big picture goals that resemble more of a pathway than a particular to-do list. To-do list type resolutions never work for me because my focus and priorities change as the year progresses and consequently by February I can’t even remember what I wanted to accomplish. I think setting a goal with a 12 month deadline only breeds procrastination which results in guilt.
I went to a leadership training in October of 2007 and one of my biggest take aways is that in order to accomplish any goal you must always be taking steps in the direction of your end result. Which of course means you know what your end result will look like and then make sure to take steps towards that every day. I set goals or “resolutions” for myself every month in the different categories of my life: personally, professionally & for this blog. When I create my year at a glance goals I am working from an eagle eye view of what I want my year to look like at the end, knowing that life happens and plans change and life rarely unfolds the way we expect. I actually wrote my list about a month ago but recently I came across two blog posts that have inspired me and helped me to focus my goals even more.
Chris Brogan recommends coming up with 3 or so keywords that tie to goals and work from there. The thing that I love about Chris’ approach is that it’s broad enough to encompass multiple areas of life, yet it’s also narrow enough that I will definitely be able to remember in February what my 3 words were.
So I read back over my list in my journal and came up with 3 words for me: Joy, Contribution & Journey.
- Joy: It’s very important to me to find and create joy both in my own life and those around me. For me joy manifests through creativity, music, cooking, reading, learning and being with my favorite people. I also think that it’s important to find a way to bring joy into otherwise mundane tasks. Life is too short to be grumpy for no reason.
- Contribution: Contributing as far as a goal for myself is about always working towards something bigger. It’s important to me that I’m contributing to my future and to the lives of others. My purpose in blogging to to contribute to and learn from the blogging community. Contribution is also about the small parts that make up the whole. Taking time out to do household tasks on a daily basis may not seem like much on a small scale but overall it contributes to creating peace and comfort in my home. In 2009 I will be contributing to my health, finances, & education specifically.
- Journey: “Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.” – Greg Anderson. As someone who is results & goal oriented I often have to remind myself that the journey is part of the fun. Celebrating accomplishments as they come instead of always striving to step up the next rung of the ladder.
The other post that inspired me to refocus my resolution was Tiffany Monhollon’s Forget Resolutions. Tiffany recommends picking one theme – her’s being discipline. And so for me, my theme for 2009 shall be joy – finding, creating & inspiring joy in myself and others.
What would be your 3 goals and/or your theme word for 2009?
Other recommended reading on this first day of 2009:
I like this. I think my theme is risk. I’m a very cautious person and I hate going out of my comfort zone, but I’m learning that in order to truly be happy, I may have to take some risks.
In short, I want to have a greater fear of regret than failure.
New Years always reminds me of two quotes that I think are very apropos to the comments you made in your blog: “I measure my resolutions by the day, not by the year” – Unknown and “New Years Eve… now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.” – Mark Twain.
I agree that measured goals are far more appropriate. In deed, I have always been told that waiting to make resolutions once a year, only leaves you will 11 more months to procrastinate. I have found that the hardest part of any goal is not coming up with it, but the execution. Especially if it involves a change in habits or character.
Its much harder to form a new habit or routine than it is to break an old one! Following your suggestion, I think my years 3 word focus will be: Discover, Excel, Connect.
Great post!
Elyssa,
I read Chris’s post today after I’d written mine, an I love that idea of having three words. Mine would probably be relationships, ideas, and purpose. (And my, how discipline applies to all three!)
I also believe that goals are important – I’m a very deadline-driven person when it comes to my work. But I definitely feel you with the idea that resolutions are just a concept weighted down by a lot of negative. And inflexibility.
So I’m hoping this idea of a theme can serve as a motivational push in many areas of my life – even though I picked one that probably sounds more like punishment than enlightenment. :)
@Akirah: I think risk is great as a theme. I know I definitely live on the cautious side of life usually. I love this quote “Take risks: if you win, you will be happy; if you lose, you will be wise.”
@Matt: I like your 3 as well. I think connect is great since that’s how you randomly found me :D
@Tiffany: I must say I’m not sure that I’m daring enough to make a declarations of discipline. I hear a red flag and my mother’s voice saying “be careful what you ask for”. But I respect you for choosing that. And your three words do require discipline. Also purpose is such a generational word I think. There are so many of “us” trying to find or make our purpose in life.
Love your outlook towards resolutions. Joy is a perfect theme!