Resolution: Noun: The act of solving a problem, dispute, or contentious matter.

 

 

One thing that stands out to me about the definition of Resolution is how generally negative the picture painted of the matter at hand. Problem, dispute, contentious matter. These words and phrases being used to define what someone is solving means this is a situation that requires change due to it’s negative impact, assumedly on one’s life.

 

I’ll be honest I never knew the definition to be exactly that, nor had I really ever thought too much about the definition. If “where do you hear the world resolution the most” was a Family Feud question I think “New Year” would be the #1, 100% answer. Since most of us associate the NY with NYE, parties, gatherings with friends, and general other “fun” times, I think most are like me in thinking of resolution in a generally positive light, which it certainly is when thinking of it with the new year and the promise of future improvement. Yet at the heart of the definition is the existence of bad in our lives that needs to be uprooted and kicked the hell out.

 

New Year’s Resolutions are such a joke for us that it is a pop culture understanding that 99% of the time we bail on them by February 1. The gym next to us in Woburn and all of the “bargain Globo” rely on this very fact when creating their business model. They want people invigorated by the idea of positive change to come and sign up for a non-refundable cheap membership and hopefully stop coming as soon as they joined. Money in their banks, no people using their equipment and wearing down the facilities.

 

Other than the fact that many New Year’s Resolutions are made before or after a NYE kiss and swirled around a lot of “fun”, why are so many of these attempts to solve a problem bailed so often before we even start them? Fear of failure, lack of accountability, and an overall lack of commitment I think top the list of why. Looking at the definition of Resolve might give us a more concise yet thought provoking answer as to why we suck at keeping resolutions as well.

 

Resolve: Noun : Firm determination to do something.

 

Firm determination. That is our answer, ladies and gentlemen. How often do any of you, any of us, go about a New Year’s Resolution with firm determination? I can say I never have.

 

We can recite all the fancy self help book ways of setting and staying true to goals/resolutions, but without our own actions none of this matters. Our resolutions can be as specific, realistic, measurable, and necessary as can be which make for great table conversation over a couple drinks from December 31st to somewhere mid January. But the cigarettes come back out, sugar goes back in, alarm clock for the gym stops being set at 5:30am, and in general we regress right back to our former selves because IT’S EASY. Bad habits are routines and routines are easy because they are comfortable. Getting uncomfortable is HARD. You know how we have to go about something that is hard? With firm determination.

 

So my friends, just because the 1st is tomorrow doesn’t mean your Resolution must be made by then. Take a day, take the weekend, take however long you need to asses what negative actions in your life you need to change. Pick 1 that is important, and set your heart and soul to accomplishing the goal that is staying true to that resolution. I don’t care if you announce it to the world on Facebook, you rent an airplane and do smoke lettering in the sky to spell it out, or tell your significant other and that’s it.

 

The only person that matters is you. The one you have to face in the mirror every morning and every night. Take a look at that person’s eyes and tell them that this year, this time, you won’t let them down. 4 Months from now we will revisit and see how we are doing. The best thing about goals and resolutions is they can last as long as we want and need. Screwed it up the first third of the year? Plenty of time to right the ship.

 

It’s time to impress the person that really matters, the one in that mirror. At the end they are the only one you got.

 

 

CLOSED FOR NEW YEAR’S DAY. SATURDAY REGULAR SCHEDULE