The Anti-Resolution Revolution

Stepping Into a Year of Deliberate Choices

This year, I'm championing a shift from the conventional, embracing what I call the 'Anti-Resolution.' Instead of amassing a list of ambitious, often unreachable goals, why not pivot and draft a list of what we should stop doing? This concept, inspired by the insightful productivity expert Mike Vardy, resonates deeply with me, especially when intertwined with the Pareto Principle. This principle suggests that 20% of our actions yield 80% of our results. The Anti-Resolution? It's our chance to discern which 80% we should cease or delegate, streamlining our lives towards effectiveness.

January, bustling on the heels of the festive season, isn't ideal for drastic life overhauls. In our eagerness to set significant New Year goals, we often lose touch with what's genuinely meaningful to us, leading to inevitable disappointment.

The heart of Anti-Resolutions? Undoubtedly authenticity. Kelly Jayne McCann, a professional organizer, astutely points out that resolutions are usually molded by external pressures rather than our innermost wishes. Anti-Resolutions encourage self-reflection, nudging us to ask, "What should I stop doing?"

Over the years, as a guide to countless entrepreneurs and business leaders in their goal-setting journeys, I've learned the power of this introspection. It reminds me of a potent Chinese proverb:

True freedom comes not from the pursuit of freedom itself but from recognizing how we restrict ourselves.

Side Note:  My mantra for 2024 is 'FREEDOM,' a nod to my New Hampshire roots, where the motto "Live Free or Die" runs deep.        

As a business and executive coach, I advocate this philosophy wholeheartedly. Identifying what we should avoid doing paves the way for a more deliberate, intentional life. By facing our self-imposed limits, we open up space for what truly matters.

But Anti-Resolutions aren't solely about cutting out the negative; they're about carving out room for positive, substantial growth. I endorse this approach as it helps spotlight and dismantle the hidden hurdles we set in our own way.

So, as we step into this new year, let's defy convention. Let's harness the power of Anti-Resolutions to lay the groundwork for a year of purposeful, authentic living. By identifying and eliminating our self-created barriers, we unlock a realm of endless possibilities - a realm where we can earnestly chase what's truly important to us.

Here's to a New Year filled with living, loving and leading more deliberately!

With warmth and encouragement,

Allison Dunn