How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults,
or resolution enough to mend them.
New Year’s Resolutions
We are almost through with 2012. In fact tomorrow marks the new year. How has 2012 gone for you?
I don’t make New Year’s resolutions, but this year I thought I tried something a little different. In fact, I am not certain that I have ever made resolutions, but I have had many friends who do. My generalized experience and observations have been that they have usually forgotten the resolution by the 3rd or 4th day of the year.
The second issue, if you just haven’t plain forgotten them is that your heart isn’t usually truly committed to the idea of giving up what you are trying to give up.
The third issue, you haven’t made a sound plan to figure out how you are going to accomplish the “thing.” And, you have no backup or contingency plans in place. So, when you find you have failed to do the “thing,” we let it go.
Three Words: 2012
I am not certain where I first read about this method, but I thought I would try “3 words” for 2012. These three words would serve as a focal point for keeping me focused on my goals. I needed to choose simple words that I could keep track easily of when confronted by practically any situation. Either the activity that I wanted to do fit, or it didn’t. And if it did not fit, then some conscious and conscientious action was required. Simple! Either I was moving toward my goals, or I was moving away from them.
My words for 2012 were:
- Body
- Boundaries
- Become
Body: Get healthier. Finally admit to myself that I don’t have a lot of extra time, nor do I have the current mindset or interest in getting a lot of exercise. There was a time I would show up at the gym at 5:00 a.m. and do a weight or aerobic work-out. That feels like a liketime ago, but it isn’t now. Hey, I’m just trying to be honest. So to work on this idea, I knew that I would have to become more conscientious about my eating habits.
Boundaries: This part was going to be a lot more complicated. I charged myself with taking an honest and serious look at my relationships, and the boundaries I have set within them. Some of the boundaries seemed to have shifted, or to have been moved. Some of this was good. Some was bad. Some, very bad. The boundary shifts that I discovered that I had given into “unwillingly” have usually left me angry. Mostly with myself, if I’m honest. So, I needed to fix some, move some, let some people in closer, and push some people further away.
Become a better writer, among other things; but I wanted to focus on one thing. Become “more” of what I was sent into this world to be.
Results: 2012
Body: I have lost about 10% of my body weight, feel better, and actually upgrading my wardrobe. Trust me, its a lot.
Boundaries: I have let a few people closer, and pushed a few away. Both of these processes were and continue to be difficult for me. I have many acquaintances, but very few close friends. I guard my privacy, and actually enjoy my relative solitude most of the time. But, there are people, old and new, in my life that I love and care deeply about, so I needed to be able to show more of myself. There are people in my life who love me…if I let them. There are also people in all of our lives who turn out to be users and abusers, and we must eventually push them away from our hearts and sometimes out of our lives, even though it may be painful.
Become: I enjoy writing. I do not think I am very good at it, but hopefully continuing to improve. And I am getting more comfortable with letting more of me, warts and all, show through my writing.
Start or start afresh today
This 3 word system has worked extremely well for me in 2012. It covered a lot of ground, and I didn’t have to remember a long list of affirmations, even though I use and write about affirmations. It allowed me to look at almost any situation and decide rather quickly whether was something suitable for me or not, and adjust accordingly. If I “mess up” I can pick up and keep moving forward.
Three words: 2013
As of today, I have two of the words locked in- “Arete,” and “Service.” The third word which I have been stewing over is “Publish.”
In a few weeks I will discuss these in greater detail and explain what they mean in my life. But, I am looking forward to the challenge and the progress.
What about you?
Life is brief.
You need to figure out who you are, what your values and purposes are, where you are going, and then move forward.
It is not too late to get back to the things on track.
- What’s your plan?
- How are you going to re-establish your focus for 2013?
- How are you going to stay on-point for the next 3-6 months?
What are your words this year?
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photo credit: http://www.ipadforums.net/wallpapers/movie-wallpapers/p160-lord-of-the-rings.html
I like the idea of concentrating on words and desired outcomes rather than distinct individual tasks.
This is a awesome way to help yourself stay on-point throughout the year in a much simpler fashion than traditional resolutions!
Martina,
As you know (from our prior conversation at my blog), I am quite fond of your 3 words for 2013, especially ‘arete.’
As well, you illuminated the ‘value’ of this exercise by sharing your 2012 results. Congrats on your initiatives in those areas, including your 10% body-weight loss (that’s a big deal).
I look forward to more of your wisdom as we journey through the weeks and months of 2013!
(And yes, yes, life indeed is ‘brief!’ <- good reminder.)
Jacqui