The Lunacy of New Year’s Resolutions, and How to Achieve Them
Did you make any new year’s resolutions? If you did, you’ve probably made some in the past. Have you ever been able to see them to fruition? Do you recall what the process felt like? Tedious?
A year, 365 days, is an incredibly long time to drag out a process (resolution), and rather pointless. Maintaining the motivation, focus, desire, and keeping your eye on the goal for 365 days is extremely difficult. And then when failure occurs, the year is wasted and you have to wait until January 1st to begin again. What an incredible waste of time and energy. However, there is a more effective method, and it is an integral aspect of self/Self leadership. Let me reiterate that . . .
“. . . it is an integral aspect of self/Self leadership”
In the past, I have lead wilderness rites of passage rituals. I have also researched them extensively, and wrote a dissertation about them. One of the most significant aspects of the process is recognizing that each day is a new beginning. It is an opportunity to start again; a rebirth, metaphorically speaking. But most importantly, it is a rebirth with the knowledge of one’s previous life (day). In this process, one never has the thought, “I wish I knew this when I did that”, because with this daily rebirth, the this which one is referring to is known! How empowering!
Now, imagine feeling that sense of empowerment everyday about things you want to change for yourself, or do for yourself. IMAGINE!
With the daily process, the chances of regression are decreased (due to decreased anxiety); self-forgiveness becomes easier (because transgressions are minimal); success rates increase (success only takes 24 hours and you can potentially have 365 in one year); and motivation is maintained and even increased (from the euphoria of success). The negative aspects develop from the psychological burden of time, specifically a 365 day process (time; an ego-centric concept). While the positive aspects develop from a natural process, nature (sunrise one day to sunrise the next day).
“The positive aspects develop from a natural process, nature”
These positive aspects are almost impossible to replicate using traditional new year’s resolutions. Think about why for a moment. You’re taking all those positives that you can achieve in one day, and extending the time to achieve them to 365 days! That’s sheer lunacy (pun intended). Everything about the process is extended from a one day process to 365. Why would you do that to yourself!
Another very important, and very significant aspect is that the daily process is cyclical; whereas the annual process is linear. Another pitfall of new year’s resolutions.
“The daily process is cyclical; whereas the annual process is linear”
What about those changes that cannot be achieved in a day, you ask? Well, it’s not about that structural idea of change. This is perception, and it’s all about perception. Perception is everything as your perception will create how you feel, literally. And, YOU want to feel good, right! So change your perception, but also change things that change your perception. When you take road-trip it’s the journey that brings the joy, not the destination.
“Change your perception, but also change things that change your perception”
The process is the journey. And, like any journey, you take one step at a time. Focus on the current step, the present moment, the today. Focusing on your future creates anxiety (the past, guilt; the present, bliss). Each step achieved is a small victory, but you have to be focused on the step to see it, to feel it, and to know it. Fight each battle as it presents, focus on that battle only. In doing so, you will win more battles than you lose, and consequently win your war. In contrast, if you focus on the war you won’t see the impending battles. You will lose more battles than you win, and you will lose your war.
“The process is the journey”
Now, take this concept and think about motivation. It is significantly easier to generate and maintain motivation for a one-day process, than it is for a 365 day process. Additionally, the victory achieved each day enhances and maintains motivation for the next day. It’s a win-win situation.
So why do we have new years resolution? Honestly, I don’t know. But, I do know, I never make them, and I suggest you don’t either. If you do, you’re potentially setting yourself up for failure.
