I’d say it really depends on the individual and that individual’s circumstances. It’s easier for some than for others, due to a strong sense of discipline or maybe a household and work life that isn’t as chaotic as others. Some set a really high bar, one that’s unattainable and leads to discouragement and abandonment once enough failures pile up. I know that last bit applies to me, at the beginning of a new year and throughout. Enough setbacks hit me, and I just want to crawl into a hole and be done with it all.
But we’ll never change things for the better that way! So, I’d love comments from people as to what has worked for them in the past, as well as what hasn’t. What did you learn from the successes and failures you’ve made when trying to change a habit, or make a lifestyle or career change? For me, it’s all about setting little goals each day, while keeping the big goals in mind. I’ve found over the years that I’m somewhat progress-oriented, so if I’m not seeing some kind of tangible evidence of forward movement each day or each week, the discouragement and negative voices start to creep in. Beating those daily goals helps to slay the dragon, or at least keep it asleep.
Let’s work hard in the next year together, and slay those dragons! Better yet, let’s start today!
The Next Kildash Book Releases Today!
Looking for your next fantasy-with-a-science-fiction-twist? Look no further than the Kildash series, an ever-growing series of books by Lee Ellis. The first four books are already out, with the fifth releasing today! The Second Ridding – Part 1 is here and ready for your reading pleasure, with Part 2 due to release April 30th, 2024.
The Red Queen has amassed the largest army since the rule of Kaleeshni, all of its military might bent on vengeance. A dark sorcerer poses as Dune Halzibar, spreading his empire across the void. Beyond the Weeping Sea, goblins fight for stack of a new planet colonized by mages. Thuzans pay tribute to a fallen monk, and with them come gospels of violence.
Turmoil disrupts the Murai as the ronin urges for unity, and the Queen of Tuegal plays a deadly game with allies and enemies. Mercenaries strike in the night as war dissolves ancient boarders, an alchemist brews his masterpiece, and the Second Ridding begins.
(Part I: The Woman in Black)
The Apocalypse Awaits!
Do you have what it takes to survive when the Shit Hits The Fan?
Only those who are lucky, properly equipped, or skilled have a fighting chance to survive through those first days of chaos. And only the strong have what it takes to thrive.
Join us on a journey of alien invasions, nuclear war, zombie hordes and more, in Tales of the Apocalypse. Eleven stories of desperation, heroism, and strife sure to hook your imaginations.
With stories by Anthony H. Roberts, Al Hagan, Jon Fain, JL Curtis, William Joseph Roberts, Linda Kay Hardie, Michael Craig, David Norling, Lorraine Sharma Nelson, Sarina Dorie, and Nebula and Hugo award winner, Robert Silverberg
Are you a survivor, or just fresh meat for the grinder when the world falls apart around you?
Heathens & Heroes – Coming Soon!
Our latest anthology is set to release early in 2024. Selections have been made, rejections have been sent, and we’re in the editing phase now! Look forward to swashbuckling, sword and sorcery stories in the vein of Conan the Barbarian!
One response to “Do New Year’s Resolutions Work?”
Yes, New Year’s Resolutions CAN work. But, most people don’t set them in the right way, to get them too work. Hear me out..
So, say you have a goal (which is better an resolution – because resolution means end, not beginning – a goal is something that every time you overcome challenges and reach it you get points!) like winning the Olympic downhill ski event. (okay, you should have started soon, but we are going with this.)
You use the “But, First…” goal setting technique.
Goal: Win the event. But, first I need to (What is the goal that just precedes that?)
Goal: Get into the Olympics. But, first I need to…
Goal: Get a good coach. But, first I need to..
Goal: Practice skiing a lot. But, first i need to..
Goal: Get an indoor ski membership, because summer. But first I need to
Goal: Get clothing and skis. But first I need to..
Goal: Make some extra money. But first I need to.
Goal: Find a job. But first I need to..
Goal: Update/create my resume. But first, I need to.
Goal: Decide what job I want that will let me ski later, so I can tailor my resume. But first…
Hey! We have reached the base. The place where there is not smaller task/goal that can be broken down. IF you can’t do the last thing on the list in a very short amount of time (relatively), then you might need to break it down more. Until that first step, is so easy that you can do it nearly in your sleep.
And why?
Because when we are setting BIG goals for the year. We are thinking about how amazing it will be, to BE that person/etc. And we expect to wake up January 1 and be the person who is ALREADY doing that thing. Can you imaging driving up to the big hill with a couple of boards to strap to your tennis shoes and your hunting jacket on and just going for it! Yeah, freezing, crashing, sore, you make power through 1 day, or 1 week, or even a couple of months. And then the snow melts and you have a broken arm, and frostbite, so you quit.
You have to start with the person and abilities and resources that you are/have today.
That way, when you wake up tomorrow, you aren’t dreading the drubbing you are going to get. You instead have one tiny step to take, and that step seems infinitely doable. And the next day is the next step, and so on. And by the END of the year…
You have either completed the Big Goal (Yay team, we win!) or you have at least progressed along the path. And if you ran into a spot where things became too overwhelming – the you just “But, first…” it, because it’s likely that it can be broken down into more manageable bits. And if you evaluate it and decide that you don’t want that goal any more. You now have a much clearer reason as to why things didn’t work out, or why you don’t want it, which will help you make better decisions and goals the next round.
I suggest evaluating every quarter or 1/2 year, so you aren’t wasting time and you can adjust your timeline if needed. (Daggone skis are expensive! Gonna have to work an extra 6 months, or get a different job!)
So, to recap:
Decide a goal
But, First…, to break it down into tasks
Plan for the person you are today as the first/easiest step
Get points for each goal
Win the game!
I also suggest no more than 3-5 BIG goals a year. The reason being that once you break those all the way down, you start to see how much time it will take to complete them. That combined with Life ™ could totally overwhelm you again. AND if you do finish 3 of them and you still have year left over, then you can add more in for the rest of the year!
No need to be all Resolute! You can start in your PJs! What could be easier!
Good Luck and Happy New Year!