I wasn’t planning to write a post this morning on New Year’s resolutions. In fact, when a client emailed asking my opinion on New Year’s resolutions a few weeks ago I replied, “My feeling is that if you want to create change in your life there is no reason to wait for a traditional day, such as New Year’s Day, to do it.”
However, I do understand there is a strong tradition of creating a New Year’s resolution. Wikipedia shares many origins of the tradition, one of which is the Romans, who began each year by making promises to the god Janus, the Roman god of doors and gateways, for whom January is named.
What stimulated the writing of this post was coming into my office this morning and seeing that my orchid had bloomed. This is the only orchid I’ve ever been able to keep alive and blooming. When it blooms it tends to make me think about new beginnings. That it chose to bloom on New Year’s Day made me think about new beginnings and all the people who are trying to create them beginning today.
So, I realize many of you are considering your New Year’s resolution this morning.
~ Maybe you’re in the contemplation stage – What resolution would serve me best?
~ Maybe you’ve already resolved to make change and are giving thought to how to reach your goal – What could I do that would have the greatest impact on being able to realize my goal?
~ Maybe you’ve decided on your goal, such as exercising regularly, healthier eating or getting organized, and have already begun to take steps to realize it. If so, let me be the first to congratulate you on exercising this morning or ignoring the siren call of the donut in the bag on the counter or organizing the utensils drawer in your kitchen.
Not to be a Debbie Downer, but I’m curious what your next steps will be and how you’ll keep from falling back into old patterns?
Because I want you to be successful with your new beginnings, I made the decision this morning to offer some support in getting you there. The support I’m offering is in the form of a 30-minute complimentary coaching session focused on creating a plan to set you up for success with your resolution. This is a gimmick-free offer – no sales pitch, no strings attached – those of you who’ve worked with me know that’s not my style. What is my style is supporting others in overcoming their overwhelm and creating lasting change. If this is of interest to you, click here to request your 30-minute New Year’s resolution session.
Happy New Year to you all!
Happy New Year Andrea! Thanks for your brief post and encouragement and reminder that goal setting can happen any time of year. So many times we make a resolution and are good for the first little while and then when we fall, just give up. Why not restart or revise our goal/resolution. The object is to keep moving right?! Also to be realistic in those things we want to achieve. If its a large goal, break it up into smaller ones along the way to mark our progress. Hope to see you soon. Best wishes for the year ahead!
Pam, thanks for taking the time to comment. You are spot on when you say,” the object is to keep moving.” In coaching there are no failures, only learning. So, even if you’re not initially successful, you learned something important – what not to do again. 🙂 Thanks for the well wishes. I wish you the same in return and look forward to seeing you at an ICF meeting soon!
Great offer – Andrea! I’m sure your phone is ringing off the hook with people taking you up on your offer to share your brilliance!
I’m foregoing resolutions this year – and instead am focusing on creating my 2015 “be goals”. Who do I want to “be” this year? Then, I’m using my word of the year “deliberate” to decide each day what deliberate action am I going to take to keep me on the path of becoming the person I want to “be”.
Hi Lisa, sounds like a great plan. I love the idea of considering who you want to be, instead of what you want to be. I look forward to hearing how your year of being deliberate supports you in moving forward. Happy New Year!
Lovely post, Andrea! And what a great offer you gave too. I’ve traditionally been a major goal setter. I’ve always spent time at the year’s end or beginning taking stock, reviewing accomplishments, and choosing what I’d like to accomplish for the coming year. Last year was the first time I didn’t do that. And so far, I haven’t done it this year either. Instead, I’m going to focus on protecting the white space in my calendar, which is already quite full. I’ve already committed to a number of projects/initiatives that will take much of my time, so I’m looking to… Read more »
Linda, I know with your responsibilities as President of the Institute for Challenging Disorganization you’ve got a lot on your plate. I applaud you for identifying an approach that feels “better” for you at this time in your life, instead of trying to hold on to something that might not be as supportive! Best of luck with focusing on the “white space” – we both know that what you pay attention to grows, so if you’re paying attention to white space, you are sure to find more of it in 2015. Happy New Year!
Thanks so much, Andrea for your support and wise words. I appreciate you identifying that there’s a reason why I’m trying some different approaches.That’s where the flexibility piece comes into play…one I work at, as it’s not natural for me.
Happy New Year to you too! Wishing you all great things ahead.