New Year, Old Resolution

It is the beginning of the year, and the new year resolutions are already in full swing. The question is: Do we really need to make new year resolutions every year? At the beginning of every year, I always remember this classic line from my friend, “New Year, Old Resolution”. While it sounds like a joke, I think there is an element of truth to it.

New year resolutions are not necessarily bad, the problem is that most new year resolutions are not part of long-term plans. That is one major reason why most new year resolutions fail. Everyone makes new year resolutions because it is a tradition or a random “motivational speaker” or “social media influencer” is pressuring them to do so. The truth is that you don’t need new year resolutions every year. You only need to reassess your goals and strategies, and that does not need to be done at the beginning or end of a year. Choose your own time and do that whenever it works for you.

 Instead of making resolutions every year, do the following:

 

• Create 1-3 long-term goals based on your vision (who and where you want to be) if you don’t have any long-term goals. Your goals can be for business, career, education, finances, health, and other aspects of life.
• Create short, medium, and long-term strategies for every goal.
• Assess those goals and strategies periodically (monthly, quarterly, or yearly) and make necessary changes. If there is nothing to change, don’t make a change (Don’t fix what is not broken).

Stick to your plans and stop putting unnecessary pressure on yourself. Stop jumping on the annual new year resolutions bandwagons and take control of your life. Have a clear plan, be happy, and live productively. Remember, a person without a plan is part of another person’s plan.

Ayodeji is the Founder and Principal Consultant at Emmright Business Management & Consulting Services. He specializes in leadership development, strategic planning, change management, and business management. He holds a Doctor of Education in Leadership from the Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Ayodeji is also the author of the book Caring: The Soul of Leadership, which is available in paperback and e-book on Amazon. Follow him on LinkedIn