Not everybody wants to make a New Year’s resolution.  But, there are many people who do.  You may be one of them or you may know someone who always likes to make a New Year’s resolution. 

Whether people achieve their resolution or not, some people just like to have one and declare it as well!

I was prompted to write this article because my friend Amy, rang me last night and panicked – this is what she said, ‘Yikes! It’s nearly midnight – and I haven’t made a New Year’s resolution yet’!

Normally, when Amy rings me she talks for a long time, sometimes, almost for an hour.  But, last night she hurriedly said she needs to think of a resolution before midnight and asked me if I could help her think of something, well ‘anything’ she said. ‘May be my resolution should be goal setting – what do you think’?  Amy asked. 

She said, ‘text me a few things for ideas please within the next 15 minutes’.  

I thought Amy is expecting a text from me, well what are friends for?  Besides, if I don’t send her some ideas, she is going to ring me in a few minutes anyway. 

This is what I wrote to her: ‘Amy, do not worry.  Your resolution does not have to be made necessarily on the first day of New Year.  First of all, stop panicking. Take a deep breath and think. Any resolution is about making a change.  So, what in essence you are looking for is making a change in your life. So, think which area in your life is your priority to make changes. You wanted some ideas from me.  Here are some ideas – career, personal, family or social. Think it over and if you wanted to make changes in any of these areas, let me know.  I will call you tomorrow and we could have a chat about it.’  Within seconds, a text of appreciation came from Amy and she said ‘Fantastic! Looking forward.’

I thought that’s Amy sorted for the night.  But, within a few seconds she sent me another text, ‘Yes, Rozana, thought about it, I think it should be my career.’ Great! I thought to myself … she is beginning to prioritise.  A few minutes later, another text arrived: ‘No, actually, I think I should look at some personal things, managing time, goal setting or may be do more exercise!’ Before, I could reply to that text, Amy sent me another:  ‘No, I think family and social aspects are important.  I do think this is the area that I should look at.  This will definitely help me manage stress as well’.

Amy is a good friend of mine and I know her well.  Initially, she always panics about things, but eventually she becomes calm.  She has taken some major decisions in her life that has been truly amazing!  I know she will make a good and important New Year’s resolution and I will be there for her, if she needs help.

Here is an important question that we need to ask.  What is resolution?  Let’s look at a simple definition of ‘resolution’.  The Cambridge English Dictionary defines ‘resolution’ as – ‘a ​promise to yourself to do or to not do something’.

So, a serious thing such as a ‘promise’ should not be made in haste.  If you are in Amy’s situation and still looking for a New Year’s resolution, here are twelve points that may help you:

1. Take your time and think about an area that you really wish to make a change.
2. Clarify that thought and write it down.
3. Make a list of things that you need to do to achieve that change. You may need help from a friend.
4. Put realistic time frame.
5. Keep a track of your plans and actions.
6. If you need help from a friend, make sure he/she understands the whole plan. Point out the areas that you need help.
7. Keep your friend involved and create an action plan for him/her.
8. Take responsibility for following your action plan and request your friend to be responsible too.
9. Have an evaluation system, so that you know you are on your way to achieve your resolution.
10. Make a time grid, so that you are aware of what you need to do and by when.
11. It is useful to be able to break your grid by day, week and months and plan what needs to be done daily, weekly or monthly.
12. How will you know you have achieved it or near to achieving it? Use your visualisation skills and think about your surroundings, what will it look like and think about your feelings what will you feel when you achieve your resolution by the end of 2016!

Wow!  Just think about that. 

The important thing is do not panic and stress yourself by thinking that you have not made a New Year’s Resolution yet!    Take your time and go for something that is achievable!  It may be small, medium or a huge change in your life!

Just remember you have made a ‘resolution’ a ‘promise’ to yourself and be resolute in keeping that promise!

Good luck and I wish everybody success in achieving New Year’s Resolution.

Thank you for reading, until the next Huq Post …

 © Dr Rozana Huq, 2nd January 2016

Organisational Behaviourist, Conference Speaker, Academic Lecturer,  Management Author, Leadership Educator and Coach, Philanthropist.

http://www.rozanahuq.com

One-to-one Leadership Coaching available with

Dr Rozana Huq