Resolutions Require It

We are about two weeks into the new year and I'd like to ask, how are you doing on the resolutions you made?

If you are like most people, your resolutions have long been forgotten. I can't put my hand on the article I read recently but it stated that most of us break most if not all of the resolutions we set for ourselves by the second full week in January. We give up or at least quit trying. It was a good thought when you had it, setting that goal/resolution to lose some weight, hit the gym more, drink a little less or get to bed at a reasonable hour every night. (Those weren't mine by the way...at least not this year)

The problem is resolutions aren't realistic. They are destined to fail.

You see resolutions are certainly great in principle but the problem is they are often made at the end of the year as we face a brand new year ahead and we feel the pressure to come up with them. We get caught up in the hubbub of the season and do what we assume everyone else is doing so we cave to the pressure and set our own resolutions.

The big problem is resolutions are just that. By definition, a resolution is:

Resolutions  plural of res·o·lu·tion (Noun)

1. The state or quality of being resolute; firm determination.

2. A resolving to do something.

3. A course of action determined or decided on.

In three different dictionary explanations, I see something that is sorely missing from the definition. Nowhere do you find the key ingredient that is absolutely required if your resolution is truly going to come to fruition.  You need commitment.

Commitment gets my butt out of bed every single day to work out. Commitment has me refusing to put the garbage in my body that makes me feel like a slug. Commitment makes me hold my tongue when someone irritates me (still working on this one, just ask my wife).  Commitment has me following through on things that I have decided I need to change in the new year.

Commitment is the secret promise and agreement you make with yourself to keep pushing, working on, and striving for whatever is important to you. Commitment is powered by an actionable plan. Commitment helps guide you when you feel like you'd like to wander off the path and go an easier route. Commitment holds you accountable for delivering on what you've told yourself is important to achieve.

I think resolutions are great and I make new ones every year. However, the older I get the more specific and important my resolutions to become. I'll find the commitment to make them happen or I won't make them at all. Not because I have to but because I want to.

Don't just make resolutions, make commitments.

Speaking of which...I need to go hit the treadmill.

Ripple On!!!