Here I am again at the end of the year contemplating what has been, and what may appear in 2014. This year has a particular blessed, although my tumour reappeared in a CT scan earlier in the year. Somehow, though, I believe that all is well and will be well.
But let me ask you? Are you setting yourself a New Year's Resolution this year? Will this be a positive boost to you in 2014 or will you find your resolution starts well and fizzles after a week or two?
What has been your experience in previous years? How well are you setting yourself up for success when you create your New Year's resolutions?
I think New Year’s resolutions are imperfect, but not having resolutions is worse. As Brian Tracy says, they are conscious decisions – and this can frighten and paralyse us at a sub-conscious level.
Two approaches to this may help. One is the simple substitution of the word ‘intention’ for resolution. Let’s make intentions as these are a lot less frightening, and don’t create that same onerous sense of commitment – and hence potential failure.
The second idea is to use the well-known Kaizen technique, which is really incredibly powerful. When we make resolutions, because they are Resolutions, on New Year’s Eve – notice all the capitals – they tend to be big (to lose a stone, make a million) or absolute (stop drinking altogether), and this too disturbs us.
Kaizen technique replaces all this angst by asking the simple question: what is the smallest possible step I could take towards my destination? Do that for as long as it comfortable. Then, increase – do more – at that point. So, for example, instead of resolving to lose a stone in weight, the kaizen might be: to climb one flight of stairs to my office every day/once a week instead of using the lift all the way.
Finally, to do anything new one should consider, what then do I stop doing? And that leads on to – what do I do more of and what should I do less of? Finally, there are some things which are just fine – and I need to continue doing them just as I always have. I call this process the Stop-Start Review and it is an ideal way to help people get a handle on controlling their time and their priorities.
For me then, as I trust for you, 2014 is a year of hope and opportunity. I have made five resolutions – intentions – for the year in discussion with my family, and I intend to ‘kaisen’ all of them. I hope this time next year to be able to tell you that I have achieved them all. So please accept my best wishes to you all and your intentions for 2014!
The Mapping Motivation Series 