I embrace the restorative effects of New Year’s resolutions. January 1st can be the great big reboot that many need to get motivated to change their life. Jumping on the bandwagon provides comfort and unity for all the goal-setters out there. But basically I feel that New Year’s resolutions are crap.
I never set New Year’s resolutions. Never. Personally I think if it’s a goal worth pursuing, it’s worth acting on today. And if today happens to be Monday or January 1st then so it is. One of my most successful personal pursuits started on a Monday. But the great catalyst was having to get dressed that morning for work—I did not wait through the weekend to get started. I took the bull by the horns that day.
But the difference maker in setting v. achieving your goals is your relentlessness. I am not always the greatest example, but true grit is what makes us achieve our goals. You have to be willing to do what it takes to make the change.
What I know thus far in my life:
- Change is REALLY hard.
- Lasting change is damn near insurmountable in the beginning.
- Saying “I don’t have time” is the same as saying “I don’t want to.”
- Life can change in an instant, but changing your life doesn’t happen instantly.
- You have to have the 3 Ds: discipline, determination, dedication.
- After each fall, you HAVE to get up and keep going—Every. Single. Time. Every time.
- Get used to delayed gratification – we live in an on-all-the-time world, but working consistently over time makes for lasting change.
- Seek the guidance/education/support/medication you need to achieve.
- Most of all you have to do it for YOU.
You don’t have to wait until Monday or after the New Year, all you have to do is start, right from where you are, and be willing to do whatever it takes.
The Arcadian Experience 