Get Rid of New Year Resolutions
2012. We’re full of it. The ultimate list of New Year Resolutions. It lasts about as long as it takes to polish off that monster bag of liquorice.
Replace achievements with direction
Replace achievements with a direction you’d like to move in. A healthier, outdoor lifestyle, for example. So, when you think of how to spend a free weekend, travel in the new direction. Or, if you’ve a choice of holiday with friends, choose the more active option, rather than denying yourself altogether.
Replace tasks with goals
Ditch your list of tasks. Think instead of goals. Then, filter each day’s action through the goal. And, filter the goal through the direction. Is this goal aligned with the general direction in which you want to steer your life, work and relationships? If not, is it even a valid one? Be careful to assess honestly whether some of your goals have been set by others. And, remember, one goal is probably sufficient for January. 
Small successes breed confidence.
Replace being with doing
Many people talk of wanting to BE a better person. Try DOING intead. It takes alot of effort to BE something you’re not. Work towards being by doing. That way, it is more likely to become a natural inclinication after some weeks of effort. (This will help those of you who really want a list to tick something off!) Again, ensure the doing is aligned to the particular goal you have set yourself. This is a gentle word of warning to those who tend to stray into doing lots but not reaching any particular goal. And, procrastinators will need to filter the doing through the goal, to chop off all that is simply random activity.
Think Direction, Goals and Doing
As the meercats would say, Simples!
Have you set resolutions for 2012? Might you benefit from reshaping them according to these three points? I’d love to hear your thoughts on my thoughts. Let me know if you found it helpful.
Image credit: Keith Williamson
Hi Dawn, an interesting and useful article. I’ve come to realise that I need to focus on a limited number of goals, especially after reading The Power of Less by Leo Babuta. For the coming year, I’ll work on a single goal, and each month, I’ll work on creating a new habit that moves me towards that goal. As your article says, it comes to down to actually working towards your goal by doing the work required. Love the handy catchphrase “direction, goals and doing”.
Andy Parkhill recently posted..Review of My Personal Goals for 2011– Part 2
Thanks Andi. My instinct is that once you settle on a Direction, it’s much easier to set several goals to work toward that. Then rest is just like colouring in.
Dawn Baird, Partner recently posted..Get Rid of New Year Resolutions