Because January 1 represents a new beginning, many people come up with resolutions. But, let's face it. Most resolutions last just a few days or a few weeks. Why is that? On the one hand, some goals are unachievable. They’re way beyond the reach, or they demand too much work and discipline. On the other hand, some goals are unimportant or too trivial. So, they are pushed aside or ignored. Thus, it’s important to come up with achievable and meaningful goals.
Once such goals are identified, the next step is to address the mental and physical sides of achieving the goal(s). Let’s consider the case of losing weight, a common goal for the new year. We all know that, without exercising and changing one's diet, weight loss is virtually impossible. Now, exercise and diet require careful planning, sustained commitment, hard work, and frequent monitoring. So, as you can see, there are two sides to this endeavor: mental (planning, determination, will) and physical (exercising, eating the right food, etc.). Hence, be sure to address both dimensions of your resolution! Think, plan, and take concrete steps. Oh, and don't forget to frequently monitor your progress.
But hold on! When workable resolutions are drawn up, most folks immediately create a “to-do” list. That’s all good, but I must remind you to also come up with “not to do's.” Jim Collins—the renowned author Good to Great—said goals aren’t achieved by actions alone; there have to be inactions or not-to-do’s as well. According to Collins, a major part of achieving goals is categorically unplugging anything extraneous or removing anything that gets in the way.
That might sound too obvious. But could our past failures with resolutions be the result of fixation on doing so much without getting rid of what gets in the way? You see, action and inaction are opposite sides of the same coin. They cannot be separated or isolated. We need both. Consider a related axiomatic statement: “Expecting a different outcome by doing the same thing is… insanity.” Boom. We cannot do the same thing to achieve new goals. We need to do things differently, and that requires eliminating or ceasing what didn’t work.
What will you stop doing this year to achieve your goals?
For students, much of the following should be included in their “not-to-do” list: don’t go to bed too late at night; don’t play games (too long); don’t waste too much time on social media; don’t procrastinate on assignments/tasks; cut down on junk food or soda; don’t curse; don’t gossip; don’t lie; don’t talk too much, etc.
No matter what your goals are for the new year, make sure to not only create a list of things to do but compile a list of what not to do. This approach will enhance the chance of achieving your goals.
I wish you a Happy New Year, and may God grant you wisdom, a passion for growth, and the determination to reach your goals.
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