RESOLUTIONS???

We find ourselves at that time of the year again where everyone starts talking about their “resolutions” or lack thereof.  Some people make New Year resolutions every year.  Some people have given up on making resolutions and some people never made resolutions to begin with.  I would place myself in the group of people who have given up on making resolutions, and for obvious reasons!

A cartoon that I saw the other day explains why I have given up on resolutions and is one of the best definitions of a resolution that I have seen.  In the cartoon, one character asks the other character what “resolutions” are.  The answer:  a to-do list for January. 

This is so true!  I find it probable that the majority of the people who make resolutions only keep them about that long.  The same was true for me.  That explains why I am now in the group who has given up on making resolutions.

I have a better idea!!  Instead of resolutions, why don’t we simply “prioritize”?  Now some of you are scratching their heads, wondering what in the world I am talking about.  Here is the way it works.

Make a list of the things in your life (categories will be fine – not individual items).  Below is a sample list to get you started and lists just some basics.  Most folks will have other things to add to the list:

·       _____ Career

·       _____ Family

·       _____ Christ

·       _____ Friendships

·       _____ Money

 

Now prioritize the list by numbering the items with the most important thing being number one.  If you really want to have fun and make this a meaningful experience, make the list twice.  Prioritize the list as of “today”, the way your life is now.  Then, prioritize the list again – the way you would like your priorities to be.  Then, instead of working on resolutions that aren’t going to last very long, work on rearranging your life to fit the priority list the way you would like it to be.

 

Keep your list handy so you can double check yourself of your priorities periodically to see if you are actually changing your priorities.  At the end of 2013, award yourself for the progress you have made in changing your priorities and do it all over again.

 

Happy New Year to everyone and ….. Let me know how your list turns out.