Tick Tock, Look Back Before Looking Forward

Prior to calendars like the Gregorian or Julian, the seasons and equinoxes marked time. Time was more of a rolling event, without clear boundaries from one year to the next. Thanks to the structure of our calendar, we have an obvious beginning of each year on January 1st and an obvious end on December 31st. 

Human nature makes most of us love the opportunity of a new beginning or fresh start. Our 2012 fresh start is just a day away! Many will make resolutions and others will set goals for the new year, but we have another idea.

Mark the new year and determine your resolutions or goals by listing your big mistakes and regrets from this year and why you believe they happened. Whether you over-drafted your checking account, didn't lose ten pounds or lied to your mother, write down the mistakes that you stuck with you this past year. It may be that it was just a simple accident and nothing you could have done would change the outcome, if that is the case, mark those off your list. For all others, really try to pinpoint the cause of the mistake and for any repeat offenses, move those to the top of your list.

Now take your list and determine the actions needed in your life so those mistakes do not occur again. This is how you should really make resolutions for them to be achievable and effective.  You cannot simply say, "My resolution is to lose weight" and just hope it sticks.  You need to say, "I need to stop eating pizza every day, stop avoiding the gym and start a food diary to guide me on my weight loss."  Use critical thinking skills to evaluate where you've been, and you'll find an easier path to where you want to go.

So instead of looking forward, we suggest you look backward in order to make 2012 a better year than 2011.  Happy New Year!

Comments

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