Showing Resolve in 2013

This is the time of year that many of us think about creating New Year’s resolutions. For many of us, this is as far as we go. Resolutions have been something that we’ve relegated to the people who want to shed a few pounds or give up smoking. Most of those that do create these types of resolutions have given up by the time February first comes around. Just watch the gyms swell with activity over the next few weeks and then slow to a crawl. If it’s too busy for you at the beginning of the year, just wait a few weeks. You’ll have it all to yourself again.

The meaning and purpose behind New Year’s resolutions have been lost. People throw them out as a wish, and then give very little effort behind making it happen. The idea of change is abandoned when it becomes too tough to keep up with (and any change is tough). Resolutions have become a joke. 

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, to resolve is “to reach a firm decision about”. When we create a resolution, we are declaring our firm decision to change something about ourselves. We shouldn’t need the start of a new year for us to resolve to make a positive change in our lives. We don’t need to be broken to make a change. Change is necessary if we are to move from where we are to where we want to be. 

Have An Idea

A resolution starts with an idea. We all have a desire for something more – more purpose, more fitness, or more success. Whatever your desire is, make it your resolution. Let it be the thing you will work hard for all year in order to make it a success. 

Shout It To The World

In the recent movie, “Courageous”, we see a Christian man’s answer to the lack of strong men in the world. He resolves to strengthen his commitment to his wife and his family with a renewed presence. He creates a movement with hundreds of other men to make the same resolution before God and before the other men. This is a resolution – a commitment to change that is openly declared. When it’s declared before others, there are other people around to help hold you accountable. It’s that accountability that is missing in most New Year’s resolutions.

Let your wish for change become a true resolution. Declare it before others that will hold you accountable. 

See It Before It Happens

People are visual creatures. We like to see things. Some of us like to see pictures and charts to help explain things while others can create an image with the words they read. However it is you see your resolution, do it. It may mean printing a picture of your wedding day to see your ideal weight. It could be as simple as writing it down on a note card. Have something to look at and review it daily. It will keep your resolve fresh in your mind every day. 

Commit to this year’s resolution with everything that you have and you will see it come true. How bad to you want it? If you won’t truly resolve to change, just keep it as a wish in your mind. It will have no chance of succeeding. However, if you truly desire to have it succeed you must declare it, see it, and work toward it daily.

Here’s to making 2013 your most successful ever!