New Year's Revolutions

So the start of the new year is upon us and I'm sure that many people, if not most people, have created some resolutions. Lose weight, clean out the garage, learn to salsa dance, that sort of thing. Here's the thing about New Year's Resolutions though: they're bullshit. Yup, bullshit. If you've made a resolution in the past that you stuck to or are still sticking to, good for you, but the truth is most people see it as a temporary promise they can forget a month down the line. Why? Because that's what the majority of people do.

As for myself, I don't make resolutions, not in the typical sense anyway. Instead I do a couple of things. First I look back on the previous year and ask myself if I'm better off now than I was 1 year ago from that day. Maybe I'm happier overall, or I bought the car I've wanted for a long time (I did), or I finally wrote an entire book (did that too), just anything that I think puts me in a better position in my life than I was in before this past year began. In a good year this allows me to reflect back and appreciate my accomplishments; in a bad year it motivates me to move on to step 2. Step 2 involves planning for my reflection next year. When I look back next year how will I want to remember this year? Did I elevate myself in some way? For example, I'd like to write another book this year. Maybe this one actually gets published, who knows. It sounds like a resolution but it's not. It isn't always that specific. I simply want to improve myself from this year to next.

If you're wondering what the difference is here's an example. The big resolution is, of course, lose weight. People write it down on their calendars: January 1 - Lose 20 lbs. There, a goal to journey towards. But it's a bullshit goal and it's unrealistic. Most people don't even know what it means to lose 20 lbs, let alone understand that they may be replacing fat with muscle, which weighs more. Instead, I suggest promising to yourself that you'll exercise at least 3 times a week, every week. Or take up an active hobby like softball or basketball or bicycling. Because when you look back next year you'll be able to focus in on being more healthy rather than missing an arbitrary number that you pulled out of your (fat) ass.

So, in lieu of a specific goal or list of goals I encourage you to simply embrace your life and choose to be better this year. Healthier, happier, stronger, smarter. Whatever gets you excited. Decide that 2008 will kick ass and embark on the trek of 366 days (it's a leap year) with this core philosophy. Repeat it like a mantra if you have to. Don't worry about not having time or not having money or all of the excuses we all use to put off the things we want to do. Do it. Live this year. If you do nothing else, make sure you can cross off one thing you want to do before you die from your list. Don't make excuses. Think about yourself 12 months in the future and ask if you'll forgive yourself for not having tried. Yeah you were busy and kind of broke, but will you care about those things a year from now? Or will you care that you can look back on the year and point to that thing and say, "There, I did that thing. Everything else aside, I accomplished that." Just do something. Because that's all life is. We live it in days, weeks, months and years. Make this year great. Best wishes for '08.

WWW #18

Happy New Year everyone, I hope your night of transition was as fun and crazy as mine was. I've been a bit sporadic with posts the last couple of weeks but things should be settling down now and I'll be back on top of this blog. Without further ado, today's WWW:

A habit is exactly as strong as you are weak. -JT

I thought that was appropriate given the resolutions that people have made and will most likely abandon sometime around February 1st. Don't let that happen. Pick something you truly think will improve your life and stick with it. Later.