Resolutions are fairly finicky. Perhaps better put: we are fairly finicky about resolutions. It\u2019s certainly understandable, as there\u2019s an underlying assumption that they simply don\u2019t work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Forbes, over 40% of us make at least one resolution, yet only 8% of those 40%+ keep those commitments until the end of the calendar year. Typically, too, our resolutions are quite boring and rote; they\u2019re seemingly, annually the same\u2026 I commit to losing weight\u2026 eating healthier\u2026 getting organized\u2026 saving more\u2026 exercising\u2026 and spending more time with family and friends\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Resolutions take time. Time takes work. And work is hard. Hence, resolutions often don\u2019t work \u2014 which serves as the basis for the iconic idiom that resolutions are \u201cin one year and out the other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n So let\u2019s reframe the concept of setting resolutions; let\u2019s reframe it in a way that sounds immediately more achievable. Isn\u2019t that significant? If in the back of my head I question whether or not I can actually accomplish the set goal, when the work gets hard, so will be my ability to drum up the necessary motivation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Goals need to be SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. We can\u2019t make commitments to extreme makeovers and then expect them to happen overnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So assisting with the desire for our goals to be achievable \u2014 continuing good practices or ebbing undesired behavior \u2014 let\u2019s reframe the concept. Instead of setting resolutions, let\u2019s ask a question: what would you most like to change about yourself in the year ahead? <\/p>\n\n\n\n At the end of 2021, what area of your life would you be most disappointed in if you made no progress?<\/p>\n\n\n\n What would you most like to change?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are 15 goals that would be wise to set in 2021. They aren\u2019t as measurable as I\u2019d like, but they are specific, achievable, and poignantly relevant:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Great goals, no doubt. No doubt we would benefit individually, in our communities, and in our country if these were practiced better and more. But wait; we need one more, vital reframe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A resolution \u2014 or a change, if you will \u2014 is not something we set for anyone other than self. I cannot decide or determine how \u201cyou\u201d need to change. You cannot do so for me. Or for another. We are not even capable of that. Hear that word: capable.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n All of the above are great resolutions \u2014 great changes \u2014 decided by me, for me. Others can encourage, but they cannot set. We set for self. That way, our realistic goals are achievable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And so I ask once more, taking advantage of this fresh slate which is often referred to as the New Year\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n What would you most like to change?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the end of 2021, what area of your life would you be most disappointed in if you made no progress?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n We have that opportunity starting now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Resolutions are fairly finicky. Perhaps better put: we are fairly finicky about resolutions. It\u2019s certainly understandable, as there\u2019s an underlying assumption that they simply don\u2019t work. According to Forbes, over 40% of us make at least one resolution, yet only 8% of those 40%+ keep those commitments until the end of the calendar year. Typically, … <\/p>\n