And we are off!
2016 is here and the first few days are done! And I am sure your 2015 was waved
goodbye with hundreds of farewell wishes and your 2016 was welcome with hundreds
of good wishes and aspirations or as they are better know “New Year’s
Resolutions!”
Some time ago I
wrote a blog pointing out that my New Year’s resolution was to not do any more “New
Years resolutions” but turn them into dreams which in term become our future
realities. And if like me you want to achieve a lot in 2016, rather than
calling them New Year’s resolutions call them your 2016 goals!
My son, only 14,
became aware of this mystical tradition that has rule humans for hundreds of
years (I’m not sure how many as I don’t know who came up with this but whoever
invented New Years resolutions should be shot!) and incredibly, only at the age
of 14 pointed out to me that it was crazy that people waited until the 31st
December or 1st of January to do things they can do now, today, and
he went further on to point out that you don’t need to wait to make things
happened. I was ecstatic hearing this and of course agreed with him 110%!
During the
festive season I took time to ponder on this. And it is incredible that many of
our friends, work colleagues, family and strangers take the time to “wish you
all the best for the new year” and “may all your dreams come true” through
various forms of communication. One that sticks out nowadays is Facebook. Many
people took the time to wish everyone all of the things they never wish for you
the rest of the year and merrily inundated your Facebook feed with these post. And
not wanting to sound like Scrooge (although those that know me well will know
my views on the festive season) many of those well wishes were in some
instances meaningless and well, seasonal. Have you ever heard of the old say “a
puppy is not just for Christmas”? well I think this is a bit like this, here is
my point:
Just like New
Years resolutions which are seasonal and a waist of time as you should always
set yourself goals throughout the year, we should not just post over the
holiday season well wishes for everyone which again are meaningless and a waist
of time and instead we should make an effort to keep in contact with all those
people throughout the year and more importantly wish them health and happiness
all of the time and not just once a year. Wouldn’t that be more meaningful and
appreciative of people?
I really don’t
want to say people should not celebrate Christmas, that’s not my point, like it
is not too say you should not have
goals (call them New Years resolutions if you wish) but I would like to see
people taking the time to check in on people more than once a year, drop them a
note and wish them well in March, June and September. I would like to see
people focus on goals more than once a year which become extreme and a burden, stopping
people from following through with them but rather start a new goal in
February, May, August and October or whenever you want to achieve something.
If you make a
habit of these two things, checking in on people more than once a year and setting
new goals whenever you want to achieve something, your life will take a
different meaning. And remember that this will be less work than the marathon
effort every year to send all those Christmas cards and making those
commitments which are hard to follow.
Practicing this
will make a habit and a habit becomes part of you and a life time commitment to
stay in contact with friend and achieve your dreams!
