Goals vs. Resolutions

Happy New Year, Readers!

I have written blog posts on my philosophies on New Year's Resolutions.  If you missed that, the summary is that I don't make new Year's resolutions because if there is something I want to change about myself, God gives me a new day, new hour, new minute, or new second to change something about myself.

This past week, I led a discussion with a group of elderly people.  We discussed New Year's Resolutions and what the most common ones are.  Of course, number one was losing weight.  The funny thing about that resolution is that it isn't a resolution at all.  It is a goal.  During our discussion, we began to wonder what the difference in resolutions and goals.  So I looked it up.  Resolutions are permanent changes to your life that you will keep doing every day and not just until a specific achievement is reached.  Goals involve specific achievements.  Goals can be tracked and accomplished.  Goals are real, actionable, trackable plans.  Resolutions are hopes.  Goals are plans.

Losing weight, going to the gym three times per week, reading the Bible through in a year, running a marathon, etc, are all goals.  They are finite.  They are achievements that are trackable and with a reward with the accomplishment.

Being mindful, being present, caring enough about yourself to limit sweets, cultivating joy in everyday life-these are resolutions.  You may want to lose 10 pounds but it isn't about fitting into skinny jeans.  Fitting into skinny jeans is a goal.  A resolution is to eat healthier because you love yourself.    Being more patient, kind, gentle, good, loving, joyous, being at peace, more faithful, trusting, and acting with self control are all resolutions.  They do not have a measure of achievement like goals do.  Fitting into your skinny jeans is not a sign of inner peace.

There is nothing wrong with goals OR resolutions and I think that both have their place in each of our lives.  It was just interesting to me that the majority of common resolutions are not resolutions at all.  They are goals.  What are your goals and resolutions for 2019?

May you all be blessed in the new year!
Jennifer

A New View on New Year's Resolutions

                             
I don't like new year's resolutions.  I never have had one that I can remember.  Oh, I love to change things I don't like about myself and my life, but not via new year's.  I do like the concept of a new year, a new you, a new beginning, but it isn't really the case.  We have a new day, a new hour, a new minute, a new second, a new moment to make a change.  God gives us that.  If I want to do something different, I change right then.  The comment "I am going to start working out on January 1"  "I am going to start eating healthy January 1"  I am going to stop smoking January 1" makes me want to lay down and convulse.  What a daunting task to start something on a certain date.  December 31 is your last supper?  Your last day to be lazy?  Your last drag on a cigarette?  How depressing.  If I have a bad eating day I say, "I am going to start now to eat healthier."  That way I never fall completely off the wagon.  I may drag a leg off the wagon but never fall off.  It is much easier to start doing better now than to feel like you have set a date to start.

So, no new year's resolutions for me.  A resolution is a "pie in the sky" idea with no real measurable criteria.  A goal is better I think.  A goal set has measurable criteria.  Goals can be started anytime.  For example, I have a goal to eat less sugar starting right this moment.  I am going to go to bed tonight without any dessert.  Measurable, and in the morning I can be proud of myself for success.  You can apply this to any goal you may have for yourself.

Here is the goal I have for 2014.  I am going to spruce up my kitchen wares by purchasing a new item for my kitchen once a month for the year 2014.  Let's face it, when you have been married a while, your kitchen stuff that you got when you got married wears out and you need new.  And, you may have a few things that you always wanted but you never spent the money on.  Like a trifle bowl.
 I have always wanted one, but never spent the money on one.  One month in 2014 I am going to purchase myself a trifle bowl.  I got a head start on January.  I bought an immersion blender for myself.  I LOVE it!  I would have never bought one for myself had I not had this goal for 2014.
With an immersion blender, you can blend things in a cup or bowl without having the messy cleanup of a regular blender.  You can make milkshakes, smoothies, cream corn, and a host of other things with one.

Also on my list are a set of ramekins to make mini meatloaves and pies in, a new set of quality measuring cups and spoons, a new frying pan, new dish towels, and an apple peeler and corer.

I am super excited about my goal for 2014.  My kitchen will be more fun to cook in after I spruce up the contents this year.  What are your goals for the new year?  Let me know, I am interested!  I may have to join you and make your goals mine too :)

As you are thinking about 2014, please remember to invite me to speak at your event.  I can speak on your topic or mine.  Visit my website to see the list of developed topics that I have available.  www.funthoughtsonlife.com

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Thank you for making my 2013 special.  I hope and pray that something I have said or done has given you strength for another day.

Happy New Year!
Jennifer