The day was December 31st, 2012. The time was 11:59 pm and exactly one minute later, the clock struck 12 midnight. You yelled “Happy New Year!” and began setting in motion the New Year’s resolutions you had been thinking about at least two months prior. Now, here we are one month later, January 31.
So, tell me, are you the person you thought you would be by this time? Did you stop doing whatever you resolved to stop doing? Or, did you start doing whatever you resolved to start doing? Did you change whatever you said you would change? What about last year, did you make the same New Year’s resolutions on New Year’s Eve 2011 only to end up one month later the exact same person you were on New Year’s Day 2012?
Maybe you’ve revised your resolutions this year, eliminating the goals that you’ve already decided you will never achieve. Or worse yet, are you acting as if you never made any resolutions at all? Because that’s easier, it’s always easier to do nothing.
Now, before you retort “Listen missy, the year just started, it’s just January 31st, and I’ve got plenty of time!” And to that I say, Oh Yeah?, maybe so, but if you are the same person now that you were on January 31st of 2012 and especially on January 31st, 2011, well I think I can safely say that by now, you’ve either revised or given up on the 2013 resolutions. That said, before you send me that nasty e-mail or angry post telling me off, hear me out. Trust me, I’m not just speaking to you, I’m also speaking to me. As a matter of fact, I was only speaking to me; I just thought I’d share my thoughts with you. 
It happens every year, I set a goal in the beginning of the year only to have it revised, reduced or eliminated by January 31st. And by that time, I’m not feeling very good about my “non-progress” and I’m feeling even worse if I decided to just quit. That’s the problem with resolutions or even goals, in addition to being the tools that can help you become a better you, they can also be a reminder of who you are not! That’s why in my last entry titled “Change” posted January 1, 2013, I encouraged you to “do something different and set your goals with others in mind.” You can’t go wrong when your desire is to help someone else to be better. However, don’t fret, there’s still time.
So, what’s the solution, how do you not allow your inaction make you feel as if you’ve failed? Easy…..
Let yourself off the hook!
That’s right, let yourself off the hook! There are 365 days in every year and only one of them is December 31st, that leaves 364 days to accomplish your goal. So, let yourself off the hook and so start over, but this time set smaller goals that can be achieved in shorter periods of time. Instead of saying I’m going to lose 50lbs this year, say this week I’m going to cut out the sugar in my coffee and walk twenty minutes each day. After you’ve accomplished that, then you can increase it for the next week, maybe walk for a half hour and cut back on the Mike and Ikes, oh that’s me, never mind. Anywho, you get the idea, don’t be so hard on yourself. Whether you’re trying to lose weight or start a business or like me, write a book, set smaller goals and believe me by this time next year, friends will be asking you “Who Are You!?” with amazement and a smile on their faces!
Until next time, here’s to Living Life with Purpose on Purpose!
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree, therefore I made no resolutions at the end of 2012. At 11:59 pm 12-31-12, I was sleep… knowing my journey for 2013 would require rest.
You are so so so correct regarding your comment on taking little steps towards a resolution… I would like to also add, knowing which things you aren’t going to let go of versus resolution (I kind of like sugar in my coffee/and it has been to cold to walk)
Continue imparting wisdom on your followers.. thanks for sharing your thoughts/heart!
Thanks for the insight Kim! You are right, knowing what you won’t let go could absolutely take the place of a resolution!
WOW! now i have to admit that while reading this post i had to chuckle at times because it seemed that maybe you had placed a hidden camera inside of my house and recorded me having conversations with myself about the twins “Mike and Ike” and about all of the things that i was going to do differently this year. Well if no one else does, then i’ll be the first to admit that setting so called “New Years Resolutions,” is the potential set up for an epic fail! lol! However, since your last post entitled Change, i was able to set goals and actually acheive them. you inspired me to put the needs of those that are closet to me on a list of high priority and thats what i did. and in doing so i was able to become the change that my children and wife needed to see! i prayed more, i worshiped more, i read my bible more and i even worked out more and i was consistent. IT FELT GOOD! and because i was consistent i lost 15 pounds which now puts me at 260 pounds and im happier! i was confident before but now i am more confident and so is my family. ive found new hope inside of me! now people who know me see me and dont recognize me because im not what i used to be (thats a good thing), and they say things like, “whats the matter with you,” or my favorite,” who are you?” i now just smile and tell them ,”I Am Change!”
Once again thank you so much for your encouragement and wisdom. i am on PINS AND NEEDLES waiting for your book! The anticipation is killing me!
Be encouraged and i am praying for your success!
Truly your #1 fan
Jeremy how wonderful to hear that you’ve decided to make the necessary changes in your life to become the best you God created you to be for your family as well as for yourself! You are on the right track and like you; I too am on pins and needles waiting to hear how God has moved in your life through the changes you’ve made! God Bless You!
Grace and Peace
This was so awesome….Oh hit home base!!!!