New Year's Resolutions are not always Bad
I know for a lot of people New Year’s Resolution is a nice cliché but not worth actually doing. Well, though I personally don’t care for the terminology, I like the idea behind it. Successful organizations have goals or mission statements, goals to reach so they can measure growth… So, why shouldn’t individuals, families and marriages benefit from this also?
Having resolutions, goals, themes or whatever you want to call it, each new year is not a bad idea. Here are my reasons:
Gives direction for you as an individual and for your marriage and family.
Helps you define your journey.
Live intentionally.
Help to focus on what’s positive.
Obviously, none of these are going to happen unless you actually do it. To be determined, to stick with it is just as important as the goal or resolution. I am always inspired by success stories and they all have the same thing in common. Purpose and intentionality.
So, if you already gave up on your resolutions or didn’t even bother to have one, it’s not too late to do so. Think, pray, or do whatever you do, to regroup and figure out one area that you want to grow or change in the next 11 months. Make it obtainable, realistic and practical. For example I want to communicate better with my husband…..well, that is nice but too broad and after one or two weeks this will be forgotten. How about your plan to communicate better with your husband by not interrupting him and trying to figure out what is it that he is really saying. When your husband is done talking, repeat what he said to make sure you got it.
Resolution or goal: better communication.
How: by not interrupting and when the other person is done, just repeat what you heard them say.
This is a measurable goal that in three months you can ask your husband if he has noticed a change in your communication.
Same with your kids. I want to spend more quality time together. Ok, that’s really good, but how will you do it? At least for one of the meals we will sit together at the table and not have any type of screens on. Or you may say, I will go for 15 minutes to my kids room before they go to sleep and talk with them, leaving my phone outside of their room so there is no interruptions.
I honestly would focus on one resolution or goal at a time and when that one is a part of your life, then pick another one. I hope you have a successful year!
