res·o·lu·tion
- The state or quality of being resolute; firm determination.
- A resolving to do something.
- A course of action determined or decided on.
For many people, it's a common practice at the beginning of a new year to compose "resolutions". The thought seems to be that each "new" year represents a blank slate and now is a good time to change yourself. Personally, I think one's birthday makes a better marker for change, but… New Years' Resolutions are the popular thing.
I've never done resolutions. If I want to resolve to change something, I'll do it when I think of it. (I buy presents when I think of them too, and send them throughout the year; I don't wait for Christmas or birthdays. But I digress.).
That said, I saw a suggestion two years ago that I thought had some merit and was better than making resolutions. You can make your list at any time during the year, revisit it again and again, and compare lists from year to year.
Instead of writing out your New Year's resolutions, take some time to sit down and reconsider your Priorities.
I got this idea from another weblogger (Jess of funnylipshape.org; original posting no longer available). She wrote:
"i'm also enlightened by something i've been hearing about in the news (print and broadcast media) and reading about online (weblogs as well as news sites). i like this idea of not making resolutions, but setting priorities. making a resolution means that if you don't follow through, you've failed. setting priorities means that you can shift them and change them around as you see fit over time. circumstances change, so it makes sense that priorities might also need to change. so i've been thinking over what my priorities list might include."
Looking back at the priorities I listed in 2004, I find it ironic how closely they match against today's. A current (high) priority, then and now, is finding work — preferably satisfying, interesting, fulfilling work. I was able to mark this one off my list in 2005, but it's back again.
What are your priorities? Health (fitness, exercise, diet)? Work (getting a job, finding a better job, or earning a promotion)? Education (back to school or self-improvement)? Family? Friends? Home? Community?
What are your goals, if you have them, in each area? How do your priorities fit into the life you have now?
This year I resolve… to keep my priorities in mind. How about you?
vlbrown-mzydt 