My Resolution
res·o·lu·tion [rez-uh–loo-shuh n]
noun
- A formal expression of opinion or intention made, usually after voting, by a formal organization, a legislature, a club, or other group. Compare concurrent resolution, joint resolution.
- A resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.
- The act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc.
- The mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose.
- The act or process of resolving or separating into constituent or elementary parts.
The definition I prefer at this time of year is, “a decision to do something or to behave in a certain manner.”
Of course, I’m referring to traditional New Year’s Resolutions. Now, I’m aware that recent research shows that while 52% of participants in a resolution study were confident of success with their goals, only 12% actually achieved them. A separate study in 2007 by Richard Wisemen from the University of Bristol showed that 78% of those who set New Year resolutions fail. Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they engaged in goal setting, (a system where small measurable goals are being set; such as, a pound a week, instead of saying “lose weight”), while women succeeded 10% more when they made their goals public and got support from their friends. For a discussion of goal setting, see my December 9th post, Leaders are Goal Setters.
The desire to improve, the commitment to outperform is somehow inherent to the human being; however, most resolutions fail. Making a resolution is not enough, you need to structure a work plan to be successful and define the resolutions with a well-thought methodology. We can create this roadmap with the following seven steps:
- Have the Right Mindset: Are you committed to change or improvement. To resolve is to commit.
- Category Identification: This narrows the resolution into a specific category, such as health, finance, faith, education, career, etc.
- Selecting the Resolution: Now we hone in on the specific goal we plan to achieve.
- Quantifying the Resolution: A simple question to ask oneself now is, “How will I know it when I see it.” Let’s say that my category is health, and my resolution is to lose weight, but until I can quantify the exact number of pounds I want to drop, nothing is really resolved.
- Setting Intermediate Milestones: This is critical! No one drops 75 pounds or whatever your resolution might be immediately. Milestones along the way set in stone the path one will follow.
- Selecting the Tracking Tool: For losing weight, the tracking tool may be a scale. But the tool becomes more difficult to set if your resolution is to become more organized. Spend time here and your resolution will be easier to accomplish.
- The Tough Decision – Abandon or Persevere: What must I give up? What must I get better at? What must I change? These questions are as much about mindset as they are behavior.
Okay, now that I’ve run the risk of boring you with the details, I’ll give my one and only resolution for 2012.
I resolve to be more grateful in 2012.
I know it sounds a bit simple; however, I plan to track the progress using the steps above.
- Mindset: I’m determined to drive bitterness from my life.
- Category: Faith
- Quantification: To give thanks in both good and difficult times and to praise God for His provision. To delve deeply into scripture and study God’s sacrifice for me.
- Milestones: To give thanks in prayer during my morning quiet time, at lunch, in the evening, and immediately before I fall asleep. To give to others more than I receive.
- Tracking Tool: My co-workers, friends, and family should note a change in my attitude and comment to me about it. To be effective, this must be unsolicited.
- Tough Decision: I will take charge of my attitude and behavior in those instances that used to produce anger and bitterness. One such area where I’ve had difficutly before is traffic. I will NOT become distressed at inevitable traffice jams, slow drivers, or those who chose to cut me off. I will pray for them.
If you’ve also made a resolution and don’t mind sharing it, please comment. I’m sure we would all love to see what people intend to do to improve in 2012.
Manly Skills 