NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS: MAKING THEM OR NOT

Many Americans are busy making New Year’s resolutions for 2020. The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions dates back to ancient Babylonia. The American Medical Association reported 40-50% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions each year. One British study indicated 88% of respondents failed at keeping their resolutions. Still, people all over the world press on, vowing

each  year they’ll do things for the first time (take up yoga, for example), stop doing others, (smoking, perhaps), or improve at others (get better at golf of tennis). By February, these pledges have often gone out the window, replaced by the habits and behaviors of previous years.

As we did in our last blog, we step away from politics for a few moments and share our thoughts about New Year’s resolutions. Each of us has a different perspective on them:

Rob: Looking at it Conceptually

I’ve made and broken hundreds of New Year’s resolutions. I’ve promised I’d do (or not do) all kinds of things. Participating in this blog, and discussing the subject with my colleagues, made me consider what’s really happened.

In reality, I haven’t made many New Year’s resolutions. I’ve listed goals and targets or come up with random lists of things I might try

doing. I now think a real New Year’s resolution involves a concept or idea people decide they will adopt that potentially improves the state of their existence. A real resolution isn’t a target list of better golf scores or a commitment that I will darken the door of the health club more often. A real New Year’s Resolution involves adopting an attitude not heretofore exhibited or a concept that, if followed, could promote real change in many aspects of life and permit accomplishments of things truly valued.

So, this year, rather than list as New Year’s resolutions targets for more (or less) of this or that, or random things I’ll try doing in 2020, like taking my son fishing for the first time, I made one resolution: I will exhibit discipline in my activities so I can better execute plans I make.

Henry: It takes Time

I don’t believe I thought about New Year’s resolutions at all during the first 20 years of my life. I don’t  remember my parents talking about them and the practice just wasn’t followed. Perhaps that’s because my mother and father emphasized doing things every day that fostered improvement rather than just at a time certain, like the start of a new year.

The next 40 or so years I paused each year and recognized new beginnings and a chance for renewing all, but I didn’t promise myself I’d do this or that. Those years were busy with family, work, church, and community activities. Each day presented challenges for improving something. Picking specifics at the beginning of a new year seemed a waste of time.

For the last nine years, during this new experience of retirement, I’ve had more time

each day for concentrating on growth in multiple ways. I now believe growth and improvement take time and each day presents a chance for reflection on attacking those challenges. The time this takes doesn’t lend itself to quick fixes, promises, or artificially imposed dates or deadlines. I view each New Year as a time for pondering how thankful I am for the past year and I reflect on how I can carry forward an appreciation for the blessings received.

I hope this approach enables and encourages growth every day, month, and year.

Woodson: A Couple of Dirty Little Secrets

I have a couple of dirty little secrets only my

family knows. After today, you will too.  I’m aworkaholic. I also have a savior complex. I have difficulty saying “no” if people request

my help. When the character traits of a workaholic and someone with a savior complex converge in one person, you get someone often over-extended. 

I have never made a New Year’s resolution. This year will be different. I have finally come to the knowledge friends and loved ones will be just fine with a lot less help from me. This year, I will say “no” when in the past I’ve said “yes.”  At my age, if I am ever going to learn to say “no,” now is the time.

I’m interested in becoming a better person, living each day as if it’s my last. I hope I can complete my financial legacy for my family, contribute to the advancement of racial and economic justice, and expand my knowledge of real estate. I’d also like to just enjoy each of the days I have left. 

So, here’s my New Year’s resolution, folks:  In 2020, I will say “no” to anything that

doesn’t advance the aforementioned interests. I will devote time for reflecting on, studying, and working on just those matters, with rare exceptions.

 

How about you? Are some of you at the same fork in the road? Which road will you take?