New Year’s has always been my favorite holiday. Since I was a child, I’ve believed deeply in the power of change and that we can be better today than we were yesterday. It’s part of our identity as Americans—the belief that growth and self-improvement are always possible. Last night, I was at a meeting where we discussed New Year’s resolutions, and I noticed a trend: most people seem to despise them. For me, though, they’ve always been empowering. Resolutions give me a sense of direction and hope—a way to work toward the person I want to become intentionally.
The key for me has always been choosing achievable goals. For example, I’d never set a resolution to get eight-pack abs by summer. I know myself, my body, and that isn’t happening—not by summer, anyhow. Unrealistic resolutions set us up for failure, but small, intentional goals can lead to big wins. One of my most successful resolutions was to expand my vocabulary. I downloaded a “Word of the Day” screensaver and committed to using one new word a week in a sentence. It wasn’t dramatic, but it worked. By the end of the year, I’d added dozens of new words to my vocabulary, and it felt great to check off that goal.
Personal growth doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Setting smaller, more manageable goals makes success much more likely. For example, instead of resolving to lose 30 pounds, aim for 5 pounds and maintain that loss for a month. If you succeed, reassess and aim for another 5 pounds. If you don’t hit 30, you can still celebrate what you did achieve, which is a win in itself. Resolutions aren’t about perfection; they’re about progress.
This year, I'm going to focus on realistic, scalable goals that build momentum and lead to lasting change. Whether you love or hate resolutions, consider giving yourself the gift of achievable growth. What’s your resolution this year? Let’s make it one worth celebrating.
Add comment
Comments