the problem & resolution with resolutions.

I see a new trend going around this year. It’s the trend to ban making new years resolutions. I’ve gotta admit at first I was pretty confused, because personally I love to make resolutions and I thought “who wouldn’t?”, but then I realized it actually makes sense. Resolutions have been given such a bad name. You make resolutions and you break or give them up within the first few months. Or statistically maybe so. But does is have to be that way?

Since I was around 16, I started doing “New Years Resolutions” and over the years, I have definitely failed some of those resolutions miserably. But the upside is I was inspired and also encouraged to start the year afresh and to set new goals to better myself and my passions and I did accomplish a lot.

I was talking with Ted about resolutions and the new trend I’ve seen and we decided to look up the word resolution. Here is the definition we found and liked;

1. a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.

2. the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc

Here were synonyms for resolution;

resolve, determination, perseverance, tenacity; strength,fortitude.

Yes, yes, yes!

I think the problem with resolutions is the lack of what is put behind them. Actions. Perserverance, determination, strength, etc.

It could just be my personality, but I personally love lists; goal lists, to do lists, new years resolutions, etc. I’m inspired by lists and usually find myself even more inspired as I began to accomplish something that I’ve longed to or needed to do.

(SIDE NOTE: You could be the opposite and that is totally okay! This is by no means a post to bash or ban those who don’t make lists!! It’s to share how I think we can accomplish our lists and resolutions, for those who are inspired by lists!)

I have things I  would love to better or improve in myself. I have things I would love to accomplish in 2011 and on a daily or weekly basis. I have habits and thinking patterns I would like to break. I have dreams, goal, visions, a new hope for this new year. But how do I accomplish these things? Am I setting myself up for failure?

I took the time to journal out what I hoped the year 2011 would be like and with an action plan. I was specific in my action plan and tried not to be so abstract. Maybe try that?

I also made a little book of resolutions for myself because I know I am more visual and that would help me to see everyday. It’s also colourful and creative  (I’ll be sharing soon on the DIY for those interested) which I know will help inspire me (another personality thing I think). Maybe you just need a notebook or a journal and to write it out.

Don’t focus on what you didn’t accomplish last year. Don’t focus on the statistics of how many people fail their resolutions. I’m choosing to focus on the new hope and inspiration I have as this new year has begun. I’ve seen other’s personal opinions for and against “New Year Resolutions” across the social networking world and it was both discouraging and inspirational. I found it was discouraging to read things about banning or bashing resolutions lists because it caused me to doubt mysef but I was also encouraged when I read of others who were choosing to be inspired by a new year.

I see hope and inspiration in starting the new year afresh, with new hopes and dreams (goals, actions plans, resolutions, etc) for 2011. I encourage you to think about what it is that you would love to see change, or challenged in your life, how would you want to better yourself and your passions, Go for them with all of you, and forget about the statistics and what others say about your silly resolution lists or whatever you choose to call them ;)! You can do it. I can do it. Whatever “it” is for you/me.

Here we go.

A new year with new {hopes} for 2011.