New Year Brings Brand New Opportunities
We stand on the cusp of a new year. It is natural and customary to be reflective of the year which is almost behind us and to look forward to the brand new year ahead. Many folks make resolutions, sometimes out of habit, sometimes out of a sense of obligation. The problem with resolutions is that studies show that by March of the following year most New Years's resolutions lie crumpled and discarded like old clothes .
I find that resolutions also put too much pressure on most people. I still make resolutions; in fact I live by goals, but I make them all year round. I do not use the artificial time-boundary of a new calendar year to decide when to set my goals.
For someone who does not make New Year's resolutions it might sound arrogant and contradictory for me to challenge you to hink seriously and deeply on what went well for you this year. I also ask you to think what will you pledge to do diferently next year?
Instead of making lofty resolutions, only to feel disappointed and guilty in a few month's time, I urge you to think of 2 to 4 areas in your personal or professional life where you feel pride and gratitude, where you learned important lessons or nifty tricks, where you found sound principles to live by. Then looking forward, think of those 2 to 4 areas in which you will make a concerted effort to do things differently or to achieve an important goal.
I wish you and yours a Happy New Year and a 2012 filled with success, fulfillment and adventure.