Men

New Year’s Resolutions Dos and Don’ts

It is about that time again! The New Year walks in with many excitements among which is the opportunity to begin new paths. Not that we cannot start new careers, lose the weight we have been wishing to lose, take trips we’ve always wanted to take, lunge into the unknown and so forth in the middle of the previous year, but something about the first few days of the new year give us the ultimate courage to begin anew. Since the year is starting with a new, clean slate, we would like to the opportunity to do the same. And we can!

I don’t have a problem with New Year’s Resolutions. No, not at all. What I do have a problem with, however, is the mindset that making a wish list is going to provide us with all the accomplishments we need to achieve during this new year. Personally, I prefer making plans. That way it is clear there is going to be efforts coming from my part. I make my plans starting with two words, ” I will”. I don’t say things like, ” I want”, ” I would like to” or ” I wish for”.  Words like those will take away the end of the deal where YOU have to do something.

When it comes to making New Year’s Resolutions, I have observed four groups of people. Those who make a wish list that they are hoping will come true with little to no effort. They make a list, send it to the genie and then wait. There are others who make of a list of things they want to have accomplished but do not have the patience or discipline to carry out the assignments. Then, we have some people who simply feel that they can go through the motion of life just by winging it. The last group of people are the ones who are smart about the resolutions they write down and are serious about the discipline, sacrifice, and effort it will take to achieve the goals they set on January 1st. To any one of these groups, I say, ” to each his own”. I am not judging any one group; I am simply writing down my observations from the past few years.

Here is what I have to say:

  1. to the ones who simply wing it, if it has been working for you then I guess there isn’t much to say. if it has not been working for you, then go down to the dos and don’ts.
  2. the ones who make a list to the genie, sorry to pop your bubble, genies only exists in stories. if you want to do something, you have to make the effort and just do it!
  3. the ones who make the list, but fail to carry it out due to lack of discipline, patience or effort, scroll down to the dos and don’ts.
  4. to those who make a list, keep up with it to the best of your ability, know that everything will not go as planned but if you put in the effort then all that is supposed to happen will happen.

New Year’s Resolutions Dos and Don’ts

Do

  • Think of the changes you would like to make during the new year; accomplishments, new jobs, personal growth, etc…
  • write down the changes and achievements you will make- I know the year seems long, but a list of 50 things might a bit too much!
  • carry out your plans with efficiency, effort, the sacrifice it may take, and discipline to stay the course
  • be patient; understand that certain things take time a little more time than others. While one thing is taking a little longer than you expected, maybe you can do other quick things on the side. be patient, relax, and know that things will happen as long as you are doing all that you can.
  • understand that not everything you wrote down will happen and it is ok. In a perfect world with no outside factors, everything you wrote down would happen, but the world is not perfect and curve balls come our way whether we like it or not

Don’t

  • decide to go through the motion of the new year; unless this is something that has worked for you, somehow. Ultimately, that is your call to make
  • think of a 50-item list to send to a genie hoping three of them will happen
  • make a resolution you are not willing to carry out
  • expect things to happen with no effort on your end
  • be foolish; only write what you know you can accomplish; don’t set yourself up for failure wishing for $100,000 car when you only make $40,000 a year ( I know this is a little extreme, but you get the point) or plan to lose 50 pounds when you rather go to a buffet then the gym

Happy New Year! I wish you all the best of discipline, faith, love, laughter, and all things great!

I am a 26 year-old educator on the run of becoming all that I can in the time that I have. A few years ago, I embarked on a journey filled with spiritual discoveries, healthy habits, and a passion for education stronger than I've ever had. Learning what to do to become a better person have always interest me. One of my passions is to know a little about everything in order to gain the capability of forming my own opinion so others won't have to do it for me. Another passion that was buried deep inside finally came to the surface and allowed me to see the adventurous side of me. I am on a journey to see the world and do things outside of my comfort zone. I will write all about it along the way!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.