Resolutions: Yay or Nay

Recently I have read several posts on the internet from studies about New Year’s resolutions. They all said the same statistics that 41% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, and on 9% of those keep or achieve those resolutions. I have always made New Year’s resolutions with the exception of last year. I did not make any resolutions for last year. I make goals for my sheep farm as part of a yearly business plan, but last year I made no goals or resolutions for me personally.

I read a blog by Dr.Shelly C., Success Strategies, in her post “TED Talk 2023 Public Quest: Would you Share Your Private Goals?” she listed others goals for 2023. One goal stood out for me, “Work on 2020 goals”. In 2020 the Covid-19 pandemic arrived, and many of us lived day to day. The blog does not list what the specific goals for this person are, but the fact they still want to accomplish those goals show the importance of the goals.

Among my readings I came across many statements saying if you make a goal you need a plan to achieve the goal. In the past I have made resolutions for change with no plan at all on how I was going to reach the goal. Goals do not just show up, there needs to be a plan on reaching the goal. A person does not change their habits without a plan. The more specific the plan is increases the likelihood the goal will be achieved.

In 2021, one of my goals was to lose weight. To lose weight I needed to eat differently than I was and to exercise. I searched for healthier recipes, learned different cooking techniques and exercised beyond just the work on the farm. I lost weight, not all of the weight I wanted to lose, but I still lost weight and felt better. In 2022 I did not work at losing weight. I maintained my eating habits, but dropped the exercise. In response my body added a few, not many, pounds back. I still want to lose the weight, but I will have to be disciplined in exercise to continue with the progress I made in 2021 and reach my desired weight in 2023.

Another point that was made in my readings on the internet was if a person makes a resolution, besides a plan, they have to have a specific reason for the resolution. My desire to lose weight is not to fit into a bikini in the summer, but for my health. Lowering my weight will lower my risks for heart attack, stroke and other health issues as I get older. Since I do not know what my medical history of my parents are due to being adopted, it is best I take the best care of myself as I can. I want to be around for my grandchildren as long as I can, to share their lives. I want to see great grandchildren and even great-great grandchildren. In order to achieve those goals, I need to reach the goal of a healthy weight now.

I have a reason for my resolution of losing weight, and a plan. The statistics of me reaching my goal are good.

Perhaps there are goals you want, but not sure how to reach them. Such as “I want to travel more.” Look at your goal, what do you need to reach that goal? Then make a plan on reaching what is needed to be able to travel more. I spoke with a young man in Wal-Mart yesterday who said he wanted to travel more in 2023, make a few roadtrips. When I asked where he wanted to go, he did not know. If you want to travel, but do not know where you want to go, which direction are you going to travel to reach a destination.

Will you know when you have reached a destination if you do not know where you are going? I think this question sums up why we make resolutions, we want to reach some destination of personal growth as we travel life.

If you are happy with yourself, and your career, and all things about you, perhaps you do not need goals or resolutions. If there is something you wish to be better at such as time management, or organization, perhaps lose a few extra pounds or eat healthier, then perhaps setting a goal with a plan to reach the desired change is needed.

amtolle