Why I hate New Year Resolution!
2020 is HERE!!!!
And we all know what that means New Year Resolution right?!
If you ask me? There’s nothing so special about the new year…lol
Apart from the cultural sentiment, we attach to it. It’s quite cool to have a vision for the year but much more, it is Paramount to break it down into achievable goals. I hate New Year Resolution, why you ask?
Resolutions to me are designed for failure. Somewhere along the way, the world decided that on Jan 1st of each year, we all should make some resolutions to be better people for the new year coming. Blah blah blah.
This is a good idea on paper but nowhere are we taught HOW to really make and KEEP these so-called resolutions.
According to Dictionary.com, the word Resolution means “a formal expression of opinion or intention made”, or “a decision or determination”.
An opinion or intention??? That doesn’t sound too strong to me. Decision or determination sounds a bit better but still, there is nothing in the definition that states a point of measure.
How will you know when you reach this decision or determination?? And what’s going to keep you on track?
To me, Resolutions don’t work because once they are made most people;
Don’t know what to do, don’t know how to do it, think can do it on their own, don’t have a system to measure their progress
So, then you ask What is a GOAL? How is it different from a Resolution? Isn’t a goal just a Dream?
The Dictionary definition of a goal is “the result or achievement toward which effort is directed” or “a pole, line, or other markers by which such a point is indicated”.
Goals are like your GPS or Road Map Without it you probably won’t end up at your desired destination.
Sure you may want to just fly by the seat of your pants, smell the roses along the way, take in all the scenery, etc. and eventually you MAY get there, BUT it will have taken you a VERY long time, and you probably wasted a ton of gas and energy along the way.
Besides wanting to get to our destination quickly, there are many reasons to set goals;
1. Help make your vision of the future and make it a reality
2. Keeps you motivated and on track
3. Raises your self-confidence
4. Eliminates distractions and keeps you focused when everyday life gets in the way
5. Helps you organize your time so you can be the most efficient.
I LOVE being efficient. To me this means getting the most accomplished in the least amount of time, using the least amount of money and brainpower.
So, you ask, what kind of goals should I make?
You can make any goals you like. However, the goals must be SMART in order to count in my book.
What do I mean by SMART?
• S — Specific
• M — Measurable (quantitative)
• A — Attainable (Not super easy but not too hard)
• R — Relevant (will help you achieve the overall big picture)
• T — Time-bound (Deadline or Due date is given)
Steps to Setting Smart Goals that you will stick with!
REFLECT on the previous year’s goals (or lack of goals). What was accomplished, and what wasn’t. What did you really spend those 365 days doing? Are you happy or do you wish you did more? DON’T SKIP THIS STEP. This is a crucial step for understanding yourself.
Ask God to reveal what He has for you for the following year. At the end of each year, I try to spend as much time with the Lord to listen to what He wants me to do. I believe God speaks to all of us, we just are not always listening. And I know God created each of us for a specific plan and purpose and He wants us to co-labour with Him to accomplish that purpose.
Start with the BIG PICTURE. Have a vision for your overall goals. It could be starting a business, taking better care of your health, spending more time with your family, etc. Break down the big picture into smaller pieces, by month, then by week, then by day
WRITE IT DOWN. “Write the vision, And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.” Write down these big and small goals on a sheet of paper, in your phone, wherever you will be able to quickly access them.
Give your small goals DEADLINES. Then put these goals in a planner &/or calendar according to the deadline dates. For me, I’m old school so I still carry around a 6 x 9 paper planner that I handwrite everything in! For me, this is what works.
TELL SOMEONE. You need an accountability partner (but be sure they are not Negative Nancy). You want to tell someone who will encourage you, kindly remind you and keep you in check. It could be a friend, your partner, your pastor, or your coach- Like Me!
POST IT where you can see if every day! If you can see it, you will stay focused on it.
Constantly Re-evaluate and update your goals and progress. Check-in with yourself every month to see how you are doing. Don’t wait until the end of the year to see your results.
REWARD yourself. Once you have achieved a small goal, give yourself a small reward. When you hit a Big goal, give yourself a BIG reward.
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