Well, it is that time of year again. It is time for the New Year Resolutions. Personally, I struggled with this a lot this year. It is time to learn from the mistakes of 2011 and set out fresh in a new year. Much like budgeting, resolutions are great on paper and, in many cases, a failure from the start.  

So, should we stop kidding ourselves and just scrap the whole idea? Why go through the same process year after year repeating something that doesn’t work?   Conceptually, setting resolutions are a great idea and the best way to start out a New Year. I think the problem lies in how we go about the process.

If the whole resolution thing isn’t working, you need to ask some tough questions.

Are you putting together a wish list or setting a firm commitment?

Resolutions seem to me to be a weak form of commitment.   Change or achievement requires a strong unwavering commitment. It is the commitment that says nothing is going to get in the way. It is a hard core dedication. If it doesn’t meet the test, just add it to your wish list for some day and save yourself the trouble.

Have you set this same resolution in one form or another repeatedly?

This is a critical question to ask. Saving money, sticking to a financial game plan, getting out of debt, etc. are all forms of the same goal and all require the same skill sets. So, if you set out one year to save money, one year to get out of debt, one year to stick to a financial game plan, and repeatedly fail, then you are trying to solve a symptom when the underlying problem (that is creating the symptom) is the reason you are failing at your financial goals every year.

I think that this is why I struggled to get excited about setting resolutions for this year. I find myself setting the same resolutions year after year in different forms and not following through. I had to ask the tough question – why?     What is deep down inside (a belief, a value, a habit, an insecurity, etc.) that continues to prevent me from succeeding? It is difficult to even write that sentence seeing that I have to figure that one out for myself.

Are you being realistic?

When I was younger, I was ready to conquer the world each year. I had a long list of everything that I wanted to accomplish in a year. The hardcore reality is that each item in itself will take enormous commitment just to achieve. Make 2 lists of everything that you want to accomplish. Determine the one thing that would make the greatest difference. Focus on that one thing until you achieve it or feel that you are well on your way. Then go to the next item.

Most importantly……Is this where you feel God is leading you?

I am guilty of this one as well. I have been guilty of setting MY goals in order to accomplish what I want. I truly believe that every challenge mentioned above is because God wasn’t involved. The quickest way to miss the mark is to go out on your own journey and not on God’s desired journey for your life.

You (we) have an incredible opportunity today to do something different this year. Take the opportunity, make the commitment, and make sure it is God’s Will. That is the only way to resolve to face a New Year.