Resolutions Aren’t for the Faint of Heart

I know, I know, we are already 17 days into 2022, and now, all these days later, I want to talk about New Year's resolutions! A little late, perhaps? Maybe not.

You might have conducted a quick Google™ search when you were thinking about your 2022 plans back in December. If you were so inclined to take that quick Google search, it took you, in less than .60 seconds, to over 140,000,000 possible new year's resolution ideas for 2022. Did you know that 48% of the American public wants to lose weight in 2022? Or how about 44% said they wanted to save more money? Of course, rounding out the top 3 most popular resolutions is getting organized.

Does any of this sound familiar? So, how many of these top three were on your 2022 list? Did you create your own list of new year's changes? What was on it? A mere 17 days later, the next question is, how many have you taken some action or consistent action since January 1?

Now, don’t feel too bad if you didn’t. According to a study by the University of Scranton, just 8 percent of people achieve their New Year's goals, while around 80 percent fail. Interestingly, research has also shown time and again that by January 12, that is the fateful date when most people report failing their resolutions.

A lot of these resolutions fail because they're not suitable resolutions. What I mean by that is, a typical resolution may be wrong for one of three main reasons:

·       It's a resolution created based on what someone else (or society) is telling you to change.

·       It's too vague.

·       You don't have a realistic plan for achieving your resolution.

Now before you start adjusting your defunct resolutions, I would add 2 innovative options that may turn your resolution world upside down. I would love to take credit for these creative ways to help you accomplish your goals, aka resolutions. Andy Andrews, a best-selling author, and speaker and who conducts Blue Plate Special podcasts and The Holderness Family, internet personalities, took a different spin on the traditional, by changing up the resolution game.

Hopefully, a nugget or two might help with your 2022…

What do you think about "I accept responsibility for…" as an alternative to "I have made my New Year's resolution to be…" or "I chose XX as my New Year's resolution?" That simple phrase of "I accept responsibility" gives power ownership. It helps you define an actionable plan for completing something vital to you. I know we are talking about New Year's resolutions here, but this one phrase can be used with anything that you genuinely want to successfully complete.

From The Holderness Family, Kim decided that instead of a resolution, she opted in to create a "Word of the Year." That one word selected would help her choose and focus her intentions for the year.

Hmmm, interesting angle. What word would you choose? If you want to know more on Kim’s selection and reason behind its selection, check out her blog. ;-)

So, I have decided that for 2022 I will take a "lean into discomfort" challenge. I heard the phrase "lean into discomfort" over 20 years ago from a seasoned businessman. Making that first slight "lean," was scary. After all, why change if everything is “just good enough?” But lean I did, and it has had a life-altering effect on so many of my actions.

With 20 years of practice under my belt, I can tell you that leaning into your discomfort gets easier the more you do it. The first lean may be small, and that's ok. The next one is a little deeper, and eventually, you won't even think about it since it can become second nature. Learning to view change as a new challenge you haven't dealt with before will set you up for managing any challenge or resolution that arises in the future.

During my research for this blog, I learned that success is significantly greater if you share your resolutions with a “buddy.” You are now my “buddy.” Now is the time for me to take it to the New Year's resolution front…and I am going to share with you. I know putting it out there is scary, but if I believe in “leaning into discomfort” then sharing is my new lean. Let’s regroup on this topic January 2023 and see how I’ve done. ;-)

I accept responsibility for writing one letter a month to my grandchild designed to be read later. Topics to encompass memorable stories about our family, a positive change in the world I have witnessed, the best advice anyone has given me, and what I want you to know about me, to name a few of the twelve.

My “Word of the Year” is different. I will look at what I do every day and see if there is something different, I can do to enhance my personal experience and engagement in all activities. Work and personal, every day.

So, whatever action you might be thinking, I just ask that you “lean into discomfort” and look at your resolutions differently. This is not just for intentional grandparents, but a skill that can be taught early. Think of your grandkids. Do they do the same thing over and over again, expecting different results? We've all heard this Einstein quote…the classic definition of insanity. Do you do the same thing? Now, let's break that habit and start our "lean into discomfort." The earlier a child or adult learns how to accept change and get out of their comfort zone, you will get them motivated to make the moves needed to attain whatever goals, aka resolutions, you may have.

Isn't that something we want to leave to our grandchildren? So, take a deep breath and take that first "lean…" and don't forget to keep breathing.

I would love to hear how you changed your resolutions and beat the odds of completion. Looking forward to your thoughts. Post them at www.cjcorki.com/resources.