The New Year Conundrum
I once heard Master Jhoon Rhee say, “The source of all human energy is a goal.” At the end of every year most people, at least informally, take some stock of where they are and where they want to go in the coming year. We’re halfway through the first month and many people have already failed in their New Year resolution goals. What’s up?
I talk a lot about setting realistic and attainable goals; but what about the really big goals that resonate with every cell in your body and set your spirit soaring? Are these goals, in the parlance I so favor, simply bulls#*t?
NO!
Set ambitious, big, gigantic, huge, massive…sometimes even unrealistic goals! Just be sure that the big goal is understood in perspective as part of your motivation phase. Working from the big goal, identify smaller, specific and attainable goals that will produce success and start you on your way.
One of the most popular New Year resolutions is to quit smoking. Unfortunately, most people fail in that goal year after year. Still, it is an admirable goal and one that will greatly improve your quality of life. Start with the big goal of quitting entirely, but set this year’s goal at reducing your smoking by a certain percentage. Set a percentage you know you can live with. Succeed in that goal and then establish another one.
Another popular goal is to get in shape or lose weight. Think about what your prime weight or conditioning level will be and use that as motivation. If you haven’t been working out, however, running two miles tomorrow will likely leave you sore and discouraged. Start with a combined walk/run, add more running through the next several months.
This is not rocket science: it’s common sense! Success is the product of goals and achievements. If you’re not achieving, you’ll soon run out of the energy you need to sustain your efforts. Simple, not easy.
Set your sites on the top of the mountain; then start your climb to the first camp. You may have to climb down to re-supply before going higher. It’s hard to change your life in one year, but every small change you make is a year well spent and gets you closer to your personal vision of success.
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