I've been cruising around the Internet and reading all about the wonderful resolutions people make. Some folks are even talking about how they achieved their resolutions...which means they actually wrote down their resolutions, remembered them, worked at them and evaluated their progress. Wow. I'm SO impressed.
But I still won't be making any resolutions this year. I used to feel guilty for not making them. But I may have figured out why resolutions don't work for me. Most of the resolutioners seem to be list makers too. Probably even outliners. *shudder* Their desks might even be organized without using piles on top of it. Maybe. :)
My brain doesn't work that way. I don't think in lists. I don't approach tasks from the details out. Big pictures come first for me. Details come later on. I've got more of a global brain rather than a linear brain. I do strive to be better, to do better, but it doesn't happen via resolutions.
That's my
82 comments:
I don't make resolutions either! I say, if you want to change something about your life change it now (whenever you decide to make the change). Why wait for the New Year? So perhaps I do make resolutions...just not the way people normally think of them.
I have to admit, I'm a resolutioner. And I like to make lists and outline too, lol. Part of the reason why is because I am so NOT organized. I need resolutions, lists, etc. in order to focus or else my thoughts are scattered (and sometimes forgotten).
However, I've learned not to feel guilty if I don't achieve or follow everything I set out to do. And I make small manageable goals instead of huge, lofty ones that are doomed to fail.
Happy New Year to you!
I make short term goals and sometimes I write lists on what I need to do because I love crossing things off. But I don't do the resolutions thing.
Ha! I love this concept of a global brain and big-picture thinker. Yup. That's me, too. I'm joining Jemi's ranks. :)
I make a few but never a very long one, and they are mostly goals I put up in my head and try to remind myself what to do. Sometimes I make my goals and sometimes I utterly fail at ones I thought I should have but turned out I needed other ones instead. Things can change so quickly, I put nothing in stone.
Valerie - that might be me too. I try to keep tweaking so things are getting better - but just no big resolutions! :)
Suzie - I envy people who do make resolutions and can stick with them! You sound like you've got it all organized to me!! :)
Susan - my hubby is a HUGE list maker! He's very organized at it and he doesn't get why I just can't do it! :)
Tricia - yay!!! Welcome to my weird and wacky world! :) I wish I was more detail oriented, but I'm just not!
Summer - I like that way! I might be able to do some of that... but probably not! :)
I don't do resolutions either. I just set goals. Works for me!
I'm with you!! I don't make resolutions - I just keep everything crossed and hope for the best! :-) Take care
x
Alex - I'm glad I'm not alone! Resolutions are too overwhelming for me :)
Old Kitty - that's a PERFECT way of describing it! I do a lot of hoping!!! :)
I don't make them, I try to achieve what I set out to do, sitting on one's backside don't achieve anything.
Yvonne.
Yvonne - that's a n excellent way of describing it! Sitting & doing nothing produces exactly nothing!
I think I'm a lot like you, a big picture thinker. So every year, I make resolutions, and then fail to meet them. But it helps for me to write them down, just so I have a physical reminder of what I want to accomplish. :)
Hi, Jemi. I wish I was more of a global thinker. I'm sure it would be beneficial, but I'm a detail person, though unorganized and not a plotter. I made resolutions last year and I stuck by(a few of) them - somewhat. There was a very good reason I got off track, though and it wasn't even an excuse, so I'll let me off. This year will be harder. I've got to eat less chocolate. :(
Goals, yes. Resolutions, no. I admire those who resolve and adhere. But for me, resolutions are no more than calculated failure. And when I fail at something, I want there to be a lesson beyond the futility of making resolutions. :)
Emy - that's a really good point. Verbalizing it or writing it is definitely a way to make the goal real - and that's important! :)
I tend to make resolutions, but I don't typically follow through on them. :/
This year, I'm trying to be a little broader with my "resolutions" rather than stating specific resolutions, so hopefully I might be able to accomplish them in some way. ;)
I completely understand why some people don't like to do resolutions though! Happy New Year Jemi!!
Victoria - less chocolate??? That's awful!!! :)
I think when we do set goals and make resolutions we've really got ot be sensible and realistic - otherwise we're bound for failure - sounds like you're definitely doing it the right way :)
VR - exactly. I don't like resolutions because they seem so big and overwhelming. I'm so impressed by people who can do them - it just doesn't work for me!
Jessica - happy new year to you as well! I hope your broader resolutions work well for you - good luck with them! :)
Nope, why let myself down? Why fail before I start? I do like to set goals, however.
T
...January of 2010 marked a rare and bitterly sweet moment as I now look back. For under the dreary haze of alcohol's influence, last New Year's Eve I made two bold predictions, then sobered up, and somehow managed to persevere. Achieve new employment, and sign a book deal. Both happened. I now truly believe anything is possible:) And for this year...well, who knows? Still a couple days left to consider my options:)
Happy Holidays, Jemi!
EL
Teresa - exactly! Resolutions seem so big - so impossible some days. I'd rather tweak and change as I go. :)
Elliot - wow!! That's so awesome! :) Maybe I should be changing my mind... or having something more interesting to drink than Chai Tea!! :)
Happy and prosperous new year to you!
LOL, I love Calvin. I'm not really a New Years' resolutioner, mostly because I make "resolutions" for myself throughout the year. Especially at the beginning of September. There's something nostalgic about scheduling my life at the beginning of a school year. ;)
Faith - Calvin always makes me smile! :)
September is a natural for me too - the start of the school year is the perfect time to implement any little changes I want to make for the next school year.
I don't resolution either. I never, ever keep them and then I feel like I've let myself down!! I'd rather make small short-term goals throughout the year!! I usually try to set a goal of books I want to read. This year, I think I'm going for 100 books. I'm hoping I can do it!!
Have a wonderful New Year without resolutions!
Katie - yay! I'm not alone! :)
100 books is a lot! I don't think I read anywhere near that this past year - probably only 50 or so. Good luck with it and I hope you have a terrific new year!
I don't make resolutions either. My reason, I never seem to keep them. Hope you and your family have a wonderful and Happy New Year.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
I sometimes make resolutions, but I've never kept any of them. So it's more wishful thinking than resolutions.
Mason - it did get depressing years back when I tried to make them - and then I couldn't even remember what they were by the spring! They're just not my thing!
Hope your 2011 is great as well!
Helen - nothing wrong with wishful thinking!! I hope your wishes all come true in 2011!! :)
I am with you on this, Jemi. The resolutions I stick to are all resolutions that are made on a random date. If I wait till Jan 1 to implement a resolution, I am almost certain not to keep it.
Wishing you a great 2011.
I never used to be one for resolutions until last year. I had to do something about my writing life and putting those resolutions out there for other people to see...it helped tons!
Hope you have a Happy New Year!
hi miss jemi! nope! for me i dont do that resolution stuff. mostly cause you cant know what gonna happen that could make you not get it done. so for me i just do one day at one time but i got some goals and i work on them and i got wishes but i dont wait on them i just hope they could come true. here one of my wishes. im wishing youre gonna have the most happy new year ever!
...happy new year hugs from lenny
Rayna - exactly! If I want to make a change, I make the change - why wait? Hope you have a wonderful new year! :)
Meika - awesome! That's really gutsy putting those writing resolutions out there! I'm so happy that worked for you - what a great accomplishment. Congrats!! :)
Lenny - not waiting on wishes may be the best advice ever! I agree - make the change when you want to make the change and do the best you can as you go along! Thanks for the wishes and I hope you have the best year yet!! :)
No resolutions for me, although I have goals. The difference? That was my blog post today.
Terry
Terry's Place
Romance with a Twist--of Mystery
Terry - perfect! On my way to check it out! :)
I don't make resolutions, either, or at least nothing like absolutely concrete--circumstances change, and the things I do strive for I try to remember all year, no matter the date. :)
Happy New Year!
Golden Eagle - exactly - I know what I'm working at improving - time of year has nothing to do with it! Although resolutions seem to give a lot of people a boost!
I'm with you. No resolutions for me. My blog post today was as close as I get, and it was pretty vague. LOL I envy those people, but the pressure would get to me...
Hope you have a wonderful New Year's!
Erica - I envy them too! I put way too much pressure on myself to achieve once I verbalize a goal - it would be like nano all year long! :) I'd rather keep my life a little more balanced!
Have a terrific new year! :)
I tend to make resolutions, but forget all about them in February. I just love to think I'll accomplish everything I put my mind to in the coming year.
Cheree - I think that's the pattern with quite a lot of people! I think resolutions make for passion and enthusiasm - so in that way they're more than worth doing! :)
Cute comic! I write yearly goals but must admit I didn't complete all in 2010. I tried to become less of a 'doer' to become more of a 'being.' Guess I achieved that! I write a word for a year instead of a resolution. This year is 'Fearless' and it's scaring me already!
Lynn - thanks! I love Calvin and Hobbes! :)
Oooooo - I like that!! What a great idea. Fearless scares me too - which probably means it's a great choice! Good luck with it :)
the most impressive thing about this, is that you know how you're brain works and strive to work with it for optimum results. Good for you!
Lol...love Calvin and Hobbes too. I fall into the resolution/list making/outlining clan (little bit OCD too, if left unattended :D). Although I stray from the desired trajectory sometimes...eventually, I get to something similar to the original goal.
Happy New Year!
Terry - thanks! :) I do a lot of brain type stuff with the kids at school - it's good to know your learning style and the strengths for your intelligences. I guess it's paid off! :)
Carolyn - Calvin & Hobbes are always fun! :)
You sound an awful lot like my daughter!! She loves her lists and outlines for things! So glad to hear it works for you - I think that's the key - finding what works for each of us!
Not...
I'm with you. I don't make lists, follow outlines, plot on boards. I go with the flow and see what happens. Of course, I see the grand scheme and try to achieve my part of it.
Have a fantastic year filled with pleasant unexpected surprises.
Gideon - exactly. I like the big picture - love striving for the improvements. Just can't follow a list!! :)
Thank you and I hope your year is just the same :)
I stopped making resolutions about the same time I stopped reading my horoscope. Happy New Year!
Yvonne - lol :)
Hope you have a wonderful new year - holding all your destiny in your own hand!
I'm a list maker.. however I learned a long time ago to 'break things down' and don't turn them into resolutions... just goals or promises to myself. Such as I don't care what I weigh, don't even own a scale. However I do care if my clothes are tight or if certain parts get flabby :-) and then add some activity into my daily routine. I felt that way on Monday and have gone walking every day this week. I feel better. So I guess 'feeling good' in my only 'real' goal for this and every year! :-)
Have a Wonderful & Happy New Years, Jemi!!!
Hugs & Many Blessings,
Coreen
Oooh, Jemi - I like that! And I'm using it. :P Viva la No-resolutions! Oh that was bad. Maybe I should resolve to lay off the bad humor...
I like resolutions, but I'm also a list-maker, although my desk does not currently live up to the stereo-type (ooh another resolution!) ;-j
Happy New Year!
Coreen - to me, that's the perfect way of making resolutions! It totally makes sense to me and my brain. If you need to fix/tweak something, do it :) Have a terrific new year!
Lisa - lol :) Love it! I hope you have the best of everything in 2011!
Charmaine - lol :) You sound just like my sister! She loves lists and resolutions - they really work for her too! :) Have a terrific new year!
I make new year's resolutions! Though I make them all year, too. New weeks, new months, a new day... anytime is a great time to say I want to be better, I want my life to be better and I'm going to make it better!
Happy New Year, Jemi!!! May 2011 be your best year yet!
Laura - That's the way my sister's brain works too.
Love your attitude! It's definitely going to be a great year for you! Thanks for the best wishes :)
I usually try to make some kind of list, but that hasn't happened this year. It may be a sign. A good one, I hope!
Oh our brains sound so much alike;)Scary, huh?
I was just telling Donna Hole, I make resolutions like, "I resolve to eat more lasagne." That way I never fail:)
Have a Great and Prosperous New Year!
JL - it must be a sign that you're on the right track already - no need for big changes! :) Have a terrific New Year! :)
Terry - you should be very afraid!!! :)
I LOVE that resolution and may just adopt that one!
Wishing you all the best for the new year - enjoy it all! :)
No resolutions for this pilgrim, either Jemi. Doesn't life load us down with enough burdens? I hope your New Year has only happy surprises for you. Roland
Roland - I agree - there are enough outside pressures - why add our own?
Thanks - I hope you 2011 is wonderful as well! :)
LOL! Love the cartoon! I don't make resolutions, either. I have goals, but goals should be a year-long thing - ongoing - not something we decide on once a year. Ya know?!
Happy New Year, Jemi!! :-)
Shannon - I love Calvin & Hobbes too :)
I agree - I tend to tweak my life as I go - I don't wait for big events. It seems to work.
Have a wonderful new year! :)
I don't make those darn resolutions either .... just reset, realign, and refocus some goals and dreams
Happy New Year
I'm a resolutioner, but I don't flog myself if I don't make it. For me, resolutions are a good way to pause every so often and make sure I'm devoting my time to the things that are important to me, rather than the things that clamour for it the loudest.
Michelle - what a terrific way of putting it! I'm going to have to borrow that phrasing from you! :) Have a great new year :)
Amie - that's a really good way of making resolutions work for you! You're so right about the loud clamouring items not always being the ones you want to focus on! Hope your new year is terrific! :)
Yes, Jemi, I make lists (because if I didn't I would forget to do stuff), and I enjoy setting goals, just to challenge myself, although my goals list changes often.
A dear friend once told me, many years ago, I rarely finished the projects I started. That observation still applies, but it doesn't bother me. I think, "Well, duh. I changed my mind..."
Pat - I love it!! I could maybe apply that philosophy! Changing my mind is something I enjoy doing! :) My big problem would be I'd lose the list!!
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