Resolutions for the new year

It's the first day of the new year, and there are several things still on my to do list from last year:  run a 10-k, finish a marketing case with some colleagues I'd hoped to complete by October, and organize my office.  What's on your list?


Every year people come up with new year's resolutions - things that will change in their lives due to the amazing power of sheer sticktuitiveness.  At the end of every year, people reflect on those resolutions and wonder why they weren't able to achieve them.  Many will rationalize that unforeseen events restricted their success, or that other people kept them from the resolution, or that the goals were too high.  Sometimes these are true, but more often it's simply that they didn't reach their goals.

In my speaking engagements, I often note that everything comes back to a value proposition, and the decision made at every point is based on the "give" and "get," as the individual understands it.  To keep a new year's resolution, a person asks what it will cost (more exercise, more financial discipline, new knowledge, money, etc.) and what will be received (better health, stronger body, more money in the bank, degree, etc.).

At the new year, there are two things working for the creation of new year's resolutions:  urgency and peer pressure.  Urgency could be caused by the ten additional pounds gained over the holidays, a depleted bank account from overspending on Christmas presents, or reaching another milestone (year-end) and realizing that we are not at our ideal.  Peer pressure comes from the simple fact that everyone else is doing it and asking about it - and there is pressure to create our own goals on the first day of the year.As the year goes on, the urgency diminishes:  we become accustomed to the "new normals" of weight, financial position, etc.; or perhaps we lose a little of the weight and put a little of the money back in our collective pocket.  The peer pressure fades as well - the seasonal proclamations of the masses fades into memory.

If our purpose for creating these resolutions is no deeper than the fleeting emotions of urgency and pressure to conform, then the resolve (yes, it's the root of resolution) is also fleeting.

Questions we can ask ourselves:

• If we are really resolved to make this change / reach this milestone / achieve this thing, why did we wait until the new year to start?


• What do we get from keeping the resolution, and what will we give (the cost)?


• If the give is more than the get, then should we make the resolution?


• If the get is more than the give, how do we make it a habit to continue throughout the year?

Remember that you can't do it alone.  If you make a resolution, find someone you trust and ask that person to hold you accountable.  Do all you can to make it automatic and routine (direct deposit of a portion of your paycheck, running partner that meets you at a particular place & time each day, shop for foods that you should eat and stock the pantry accordingly, etc.).  Check in with yourself from time to time - put it on the calendar!Don't forget that resolutions apply to organizations as well.  Some call it hoshin, some call it budget planning, some call it annual review.  Whatever you call it, make sure the goals make sense, and that the give is less than the get.

Happy new year, and all the best with the resolutions you make - today and every day.