Are you making some resolutions? If so, you’re not alone. One in three people make resolutions at the beginning of a new year. Unfortunately, statistics show that people who make those resolutions often have abandoned them by the end of the first month! And only eight or nine percent keep their resolutions for the whole year. There can be many reasons people give up. Here are ways to look at resolutions that may help you keep them.

First, recognize the importance of resolutions. The dictionary defines a resolution as “a firm decision to do or not do something”. That’s a good place to start because we realize that decisions ‘to do or not do’ are what shape habits, character and ultimately, your destiny. We’ll be asking some questions for you to consider. Answers to these questions may be helpful on your journey as you decide on your resolutions to make the next year your best year yet.

Reflecting on your past decisions, can help you make good decisions for the future. When you look back, what’s the one biggest thing that you want to change going into the new year? Also, did you say the same thing for last year? What patterns in your decision-making do you see repeating that might be influencing your results? Each decision is a choice. “Life is the sum of your choices.” – Albert Camus

Next, we’ll look at habits, because they’re a result of your decisions. If you want to succeed to reach your goals, what you do each day represents a step toward or away from your desired result. What habits are you doing that take you away from your goal and what habits can you put in place that will support your goals? Habits can have a way of sneaking up on you, whether it’s how you eat, drink, sleep, or exercise, etc. A good decision to be healthy can get ambushed by a bad habit that grows so much that it feels normal to do the bad habit. What can you do to catch and change your habits because habits also shape your character? As Hal Elrod said, “If you don’t control your habits, your habits will control you.”

Your character gets influenced by the people who surround you. When you’re with people who have good values and are positive, supportive, and healthy, you’ll tend to become more like them. When you’re around people who are negative, they influence you and your mood can get negative. We often say, ‘Don’t let the negative mood or actions of others ooze on you’. It can be contagious whether it’s positive or negative.

Your character is important because it shapes your destiny. What kind of person do you want to be? What values are important to you and how will they be reflected in your life? Who and what needs to be purged from your life? What positive people and actions do you want to bring in to help shape your character? Building character is a continual process. As Heraclitus said, “Good character is not formed in a week or month. It is created little by little, day by day. Protracted and patient effort is needed to develop good character.”

Your destiny is about how your life will turn out. The combined efforts of your decisions, habits, and character all contribute to what happens in your life. Look back to recognize the strengths and talents which you have used in life so far. Ask yourself, “How can I be grateful for who I have become and what I already have in life?”  How can I take what I’ve learned to use for further good in my life and for others? Consider the words of Jack Welch, “Control your own destiny or someone else will.” If you recognize you could be on a better road now to achieve your best year yet, this is an opportunity to make a course correction on your journey.

What about you? Ask yourself, how can I use the questions brought forth here to make good resolutions with decisions, habits, and character that shape my desired destiny?  As you are truthful with yourself, also take time to ask the most important question – what would my Higher Power want me to become and do, so next year can be my best year yet? And be open to answers and guidance! We’ll be doing the same. Wishing you your best year yet!

Chanhassen MN residents, Doug and Lynn Nodland are success coaches and owners of The Balance Center in Excelsior. Contact them at WeCare@TheBalanceCenter.com

© Doug and Lynn Nodland 2024 Articles and videos may be shared in their entirety with attribution.