Out with the Old, In with the New!

Picture from clip art

I, for one, do not believe in resolutions. They are easy – maybe too easy – to make and just as easy to break. Like promises or good intentions (though having intentions is a good thing), it is easy to fall through the cracks on them.

In fact, synonyms for resolutions include words such as intention, resolve, commitment, pledge and promise...pretty strong words to say the least, don’t you think? The definition of resolution is "a firm decision to do or not to do something."

Regardless of the strength of these words, unless we have determination, discipline, and conviction at minimum, resolutions may not be met. And why bother setting up for failure, especially at the beginning of a fresh, new year?

A goal on the other hand is "the object of a person's ambition or effort; an aim or desired result." Synonyms for goal include objective, aim, target, intent as well as intention, and purpose amongst others.

I actually prefer this though I have heard that "target" is an even better word than "goal" as a goal is finite whereas a target can be changed as in "a moving target."

After a number of years of setting goals and/or resolutions and even writing them down at times, I decided to stop this practice. I was willing to dismiss what no longer served me. I strongly suggest you do the same: Stop it. Throw it out if need be. After all, if it doesn't work, why keep doing it?


Brief comedy sketch video featuring Bob Newhart regarding "STOP IT!"

As Albert Einstein smartly remarked insanity is "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results" or as he also similarly stated, "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” It starts in the mind with action being the final result.

Thus, I changed my strategy. Instead, I set a focus or theme for the year; I find this more powerful a practice. Sometimes it comes in the form of one word, sometimes two different words such as "peace" and "joy" for example.

I had come across one or two other bloggers recently whom I understand do similarly - hmmm, reminds me of the 100th monkey phenomenon! (see ) - and I liked a word chosen as their focus for next year; however, even though I thought I would remember it, I didn't write it down and have since forgotten it!

I had recently pondered a word along the lines of pursuing my interests or the like. However, I discovered this past year that the word "passion" has a negative connotation as in "suffering."

Thus, keeping all the above in mind, do you perhaps now understand why I chose the word "transformation" as my focus or theme for 2015? That's the word that came to me spontaneously, i.e., intuitively.

Let’s see what happens, shall we? Stay tuned… ;)

Do you set resolutions, goals, or intentions? Any or all of the above? Which one(s) do you find work best for you? How do they work for you in terms of a focus for a new year?
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Happy 2015!! :)

P.S. I was going to feature a picture of a dart pointed in the middle of a dart board as that symbolized 'target' (read more above). However, since soccer is such a universal sport, I decided to depict a soccer goal instead! ;)

Linked to UltraBlog, Blog-A-Rhythm, and WordOfTheYear.

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