Almost everyone, really.
At this very moment the internet is congested by articles and posts telling you that New Year’s resolutions don’t work, why they don’t work and how to make sure that they do work.
I’m telling you they do work! But you’ll have to keep them simple and make sure that every item on your list of New Year’s resolutions is something that makes you excited.
It doesn’t matter whether it is exited ‘good’ or excited ‘bad’; the only thing that matters is that when you write it down you feel a gentle breath on the back of your neck and the little weight in your belly that centres you.
This is how you know it’s a sound resolution and it’s going to happen.
Today, I was doing a bit of organising; as you do on the last day of the year. In my desk I found a little piece of paper (1/8 of an A4 sheet) saying:
My New Year’s resolutions 2010
1) Turn around our financial fortunes
2) Finish my academic book about academy – industry links
3) Mend my family
Remember that on 31 December 2009 I knew that:
- We have £100,000 debt
- I was really angry with John about trying to shield me (misguidedly, as it turned out)
- I was refused a personal chair (unjustly, I believe)
Life was cr*p, really. In fact, I was still in the process of convincing myself that I have a life.
I made these New Year’s resolutions; after all what did I have to lose?
Guess what?
Fast forward four years, and:
- I/we have turned around out financial fortune. All our debt is paid off, all £100,000. We also have done loads of structural work on the house (paid upfront) and have been investing aggressively.
- I have personal professorship. I didn’t finish the book but chose to publish high impact academic articles setting out my theory. Let’s just say that I published in Science which not many sociologists can boast; for that matter not many scientists can either.
- Our family is stronger than ever. John and I have always been a good team; now we are exceptional. Sons are included in the Nedeva-Logsdon team.
So, you see, in 2010 I made three resolutions that defied all rules: they were not specific enough, they are hard to measure and they didn’t have time limit. They all came off for me!
Go on! Dream big, get excited and make some audacious New Year’s resolutions that defy the rules. Once done, write them down and start learning and doing. Knowledge will give you the specifics and planning the action will give you the time scales.
This is the way to break away from the rut of your life and build the future you really want.
My resolutions for 2014 are straight forward:
Become an ultra-distance runner
Become the Oracle of science and innovation dynamics and creativity 🙂 and
Start blogging like a pro
What are your New Year’s resolutions? Don’t be shy. But if you are, just write them down and put them somewhere safe. Look at them tomorrow and if you still feel excited about them – go for it!
I think really specific resolutions can be self defeating. They don’t allow for any happenings beyond out control and may well set targets that will leave me disheartened when I don’t meet my, probably unrealistic, deadlines.
I like room to duck and dive according to circumstances. 😉
@Pat: Quite right. It is like target practice – you are not likely to notice a wonderful flower if you are aiming at a rock on a fence. Also, can you imagine what would have happened if I decided to think only about the year ahead in 2010? More likely than not we’ll still be paying the dreaded debt and The Money Principle won’t exist.
Awesome and insightful. Keep providing more light to the world. More grease to your elbows.
I agree with you – resolutions do work, if you actually put your mind to them. So many people don’t follow through because their resolution just isn’t important enough to them. Looks like you’ve made a 180 – congrats!
@Daisy: Yep; getting on that list only stuff your feel strongly about is the key. I won’t even wish to mention the number of times I put on the list ‘stop smoking’. Didin’t happen till I really felt fed up with it and was absolutely, unflinchingly committed to stopping. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a cigarette.
I’m a big believer in writing down your goals be they New Year Resolutions or anytime. The New Year is a good time to do it! Hope you and John have a Happy and Healthy 2014 Maria!
@Paul: May it be a great one for you as well, Paul. May your career florish and your blogging prosper.
Well done at turning it around in a short time. I’d me one of those Negative Nellies on New Year’s Resolutions. Goals and planning are more our speed. How far is “ultra-distance”?
@101Centavos: Ultra-distance is 51 miles up a mountain. Just don’t ask me why I want to run the Comrades because the answer is ”cause it’s there’ :).
I wish that you will be able to fulfill all your resolutions for this year. You succcessfully did it before and I believe you will be able to do it again. You provided good insights on how new year’s resolution will work.
May you have a prosperous year ahead and more powers!
@Nik: Thanks, Nik. May 2014 be good to you as well.
I don’t have a New Year’s resolution as of now but I have some personal goals. I want to save more and control my spending habit, working out at least 3-4 times a week, having a quality time with my daughter and help my younger sister financially.
@Clarisse: All worthy goals and good luck with them.
I think that people forget that a resolution is a goal. If you state it as a wish without a plan-then nothing will happen. If state a resolution as a goal with a plan-then I think you can make things happen.
You got it. They are goals to be resolute. However, I think the meaning has changed so people have resolutions to change something about themselves rather creating goals to achieve.
I want to stop smoking versus I will stop smoking.
I don’t call them resolutions anymore. I just call them my New Year Goals. I write them down as well after reviewing the ones from last year. I set about 10 goals and I’ve been able to achieve on average 8 of them a year.
I do believe it’s important to have goals, write them down and look at them throughout the year. Chances are they don’t change much and you’ll easily see the opportunities that can help you achieve them.
Very Nice!!! 😆
Good Luck!
You know that I noticed a trend in all of your goals, they all seem to be rational and great goals!
I especially like that you want to be a distance runner!
That’s a great goal!!! 😛
Very nice historical perspective on your resolutions. I do not keep any specific ones but maybe this year I will set some up. My overriding and continuous one is to search for serenity and spirituality in a world where we do not have enough of this stuff. 😛