Happy New Year! It’s day 7 of 2014 and I have no resolution guilt. It’s not because I didn’t make any resolutions. It’s because I’m staggering their start-dates.
I have a vague list of things that I want to do, or improve, but according to my new strategy, I can start whenever I like. And, if I get to the start-date and don’t feel like starting, I can move the date. And, not all of my resolutions need to be started on the same day; that’s too overwhelming. Let’s say that you decided to diet, exercise, drink less, and quit smoking this year. If you try to begin all of your resolutions on the same day, I can guarantee that, by the end of the day, you’ll be found lying in a drunken heap, wearing work-out gear, and surrounded by ground-out cigarettes and frosted donuts.
I got the resolution-staggering idea from my son. He told me that he was going to attempt some self-improvement, but in increments. That way, if he managed to complete Phase 1 of his resolution, he had kept his resolution. He didn’t fail in his resolution if he never got to Phase 2, because that was a future goal, to be started at a date to-be-determined. In completing Phase 1, he was already a success.
This philosophy is sheer genius. It takes the pressure off trying to do too much, all at once. Let’s call this the Staggering Resolution, and all resolve to try it today … or whenever you feel like it.
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I love your son’s “starting in increments” philosophy. It could work, and shouldn’t put any stress on someone who would love to have resolutions, but are afraid of failing. Good post.
Thanks for your comment. I agree that his idea is brilliant.