Don’t think of them as “New Year’s Resolutions”.
They are not for the “New Year” - the are for YOU!
They are not for the “New Year" - they are forever, or at least for the future.
Many people roll their eyes judgementally at “New Year’s Resolutions”, or maybe better called “Evolved Life Resolutions”.
“Oh - you are one of THEM!” they will say - meaning one of those people that believes in resolutions. The sarcasm or flavor of the judgement is along the lines of -
do you really need the “new year” to decide what is right / better for you?
what are the odds that you will actually stick with these resolutions THIS TIME?
Otherwise, why categorize the world as “those who make resolutions” and “those who don’t”? ;-)
Every business, operations, or even life coaching book that I have ever read says that measurable goals are great tools to drive progress and improvement. Many claim data supports those facts.
And, sure, you don’t HAVE to pick “New Year’s”, but “why not”? Sure it’s a man-made, artificial milestone - but time itself is a man-made construct.
I want to be supportive of anyone making a resolution at any time - period. If you want to define a new version of yourself that you are excited about becoming - you go girl! (or boy)! And, yes, I know that our human behaviors are extremely difficult to evolve and change, and that every resolution has a greater chance of failing than succeeding - but that suggests even moreso that as a fellow human being - I should support you and encourage you to beat the odds.
I believe in continuous improvement.
I believe everything can be better than it is.
And, what is more important to focus on than US - than YOU and ME - and our purpose, our joy, our lives?
So, I make New Year Resolutions… Evolved Life Resolutions… And, I often fail, and I sometimes succeed.
But, I keep making them - because they speak to an evolved version of me that I want to be.
Living inspired - to me - means living with the belief that better is possible.
Living deliberately - to me - means choosing how I want to improve - how I want to live - and working actively toward it.
That doesn’t mean I won’t fail over and over again. It just means - that I won’t stop trying. Because I can fail a thousand times - and I only need to succeed once to move forward. Failing at moving forward - simply means continuing to live as I am. And, that is not a bad thing at all - I just believe in better.
it is important - not to only be focused on the “better” version of ourselves.
I have made that mistake too often in the past.
The balance of harmony is to accept & embrace where we are - not to judge it or to wish it was different (that would be disharmony).
The balance of harmony is to accept & embrace where we are - AND then to reach further - to lean forward...
into whatever it is that inspires you -
into whatever version of you makes you wake up with more energy, more passion, more reason…
evolution doesn’t just require action -
it requires DIFFERENT action -
and, real or artificial milestones, man-made or life-made milestones are simply a target, an excuse, a point in time - to pivot.
Be proud if you are one of those people who believes in New Year’s Resolutions - and don’t judge those who don’t… It’s their prerogative.
But, certainly, don’t let anyone slow you down…
Better IS possible…
in every moment!
in harmony,
Nestor