On Resolutions

Have you been thinking about your goals for 2020 yet?  
What's your five-year plan?
Did you already book the gym membership?  
Are you eating all the sweets now so that you can start fresh January 1?  

In thinking about the new year, and its associated resolutions, I think about my last series on decisions.  

Resolutions for the new year are bets on a future us. We're making a decision based on a "future version of ourselves" that we want to see. If you plan to improve your life, I am all for it - do it!

However, I want to offer some help.

• Is this future you, a realistic you?  

• What's the likelihood that you'll fail? If you do fail, what's your recovery plan?

• Consider your past resolutions; have you kept them? What kept you from achieving your goals? What makes this year different? 

• What contracts will you make with yourself when you face temptation? You will face temptation.

• Is the goal broad enough? Simple enough? Can you easily remember it?

• Have you enlisted the help of others? Who's keeping you accountable? Do you have a track record of holding yourself accountable?  

I'm not trying to rain on your parade.  

I want you to be successful.  

I also want you to keep your expectations of yourself realistic, and I want you to do something you believe yourself to be able to, and desire, and need to do - I want you to come alive.