The Value in setting New Year Resolutions

The New Year's Resolution: It is something that everyone does every year at the very start of a new January in order to signify the start of a new 365 day cycle, only to be forgotten within a few weeks, sometimes only in a few days. Seeing as how so many dump them so quickly, you would be surprised at how many people are actually serious about their resolutions and goals for the new year, which indicates that people see the value but fail to keep the dedication and motivation. This is such a shame as it requires such little effort for such great pay off.

I say it time and time again: the years seem to fly by faster and faster and, as no one can physically halt the flow of time and age, the next best thing is to make use of the precious time we have through achievement. That way, by the conclusion of each year we can reflect honestly on a successful year of growth and accomplishment, and realise that our precious hours are being used well. It isn't being selfish to want the most personal gain that can be possibly squeezed from each second we have!

Everyone knows about goals and how to set them: i.e., make sure they are specifically defined, personally motivating, tough but achievable, responsibly realistic and set within a strict deadline. We also know the benefits of goal setting: i.e., it is easier to actually achieve measurable success if you set a target to strive for. We know all of this, and yet, our New Year resolutions are so easily forgotten and dismissed to the detriment of ourselves.

It is time to appreciate the true value in them. A New Year resolution is so incredibly valuable as it has the perfect psychological platform- a fresh goal for a fresh new start. A new year signifies new beginnings for everyone. You have heard it so many times before: "I cannot wait for this year to be over, as next year is going to be MY year". Most people find it hard to set a new goal to extend themselves at a random time, which is what makes the new year such a compelling excuse. People feel motivated to make something of themselves for the new year, but seem to forget once the hustle-bustle commences mid-January. The New Year means you have an entire year's span to tick everything off and look back to be proud of how much you did in this year: trust me when I say there is no better feeling.

So, this year, don't let the days, weeks and months fly under the radar AGAIN. Make an effort for your own gain.

Think of around five things you want to achieve this coming year. Range them from easy to tough and make them things you actually want. There is no point in saying you want to undertake flying lessons if you despise planes- you know you will dump that goal. Instead, find things you actually want to do that you have been putting off or making silly excuses to avoid, such as learning how to cook a new cuisine, undertake further studies, learn a new language, participate in a new public society, travel to a destination you have always wanted to see, buy a new house, pay more off your mortgage, etc. Make sure they are all clearly defined and not whilst you are at a party on the drinks! Just make certain that they are real, honest goals that will benefit you when you achieve them throughout the year: nothing is more demotivating that setting a goal to watch more TV and then getting to the end of the year and telling yourself you deserve a gold medal. This is not a personally stretching objective that helps you grow as a person. Personal goals only pay off when they are honest and individually building.

Go home and write your resolutions down on a white board where you can see them every day. Then, it is up to you regarding the steps you take on obtaining each. Everyone has a different style and you all know how you like to approach things. Do you prefer making a mind map on paper of the stages of how to achieve the goal, do you like to think your way through them on the bus, or quickly book things in to start the ball rolling? Whatever works is good, but make sure you do it!

The biggest trap is the following phrase: "Oh, it is only . I have plenty of time". If you hear yourself say that, it is time to seriously reconsider your motivation. Think about how annoyed and depressed you can feel on New Year's Eve when you look back on the year that has been and you think "What did I actually do this year? All these years are blurring together". Think of that feeling every single time you mutter that trapping sentence above.

There is no time like the present and picture how good it would feel if, by December 31st, you can say "Not only did I take up learning how to cook Indian food like I said I would, I learnt how to cook Thai food too because I loved it so much and I did it earlier in the year."

Of course, your goals will be specific to you, but it is time to get into action and reap the benefits of plunging into the New Year with strong targets rather than passive ideas. You will also notice that as you start to see the little wins here and there, your motivation will double and then you will finally appreciate how useful having New Year resolutions are.

Setting positive and smart goals will be the second best thing you did all year, with the first being achieving them all.

Good luck!!! You'll thank yourself.

About the Author:

Parmeet Singh Sood is a successful serial entrepreneur with multiple businesses in manufacturing, trading, consulting etc and is also a Public Speaker, Author, Trainer & Coach and is on a mission to help fellow SME Entrepreneurs to scale up. Mr Sood has grown his family business 120 times in a period of less than 20 years and have many accolades under his belt.

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