In the past I’ve tried to spend the last week of December in reflection as well as in anticipation of the coming calendar year. I’ve tried various forms of goal setting strategies based on resources I’ve happened upon. Since research shows that 50% of all new year’s resolutions are broken by February 1, I’ve decided to simplify my approach for 2018 and narrow things down to four basics.
While I’m not sharing the details of each category, I thought I’d at least share the framework with you. If you find it compelling, great! If not, that’s great as well.
1. I want to quit something.
Sometimes you have to let go of something to make room for something new. As John C. Maxwell said, “Breakthroughs are break-withs.”
2. I want to learn something.
I think an important part of life is the commitment to be a life long learner. So I’ve identified a couple of things in fact that I want to learn.
3. I want to create something.
Because I’ve made room for more through my first action, I can now invest the time and resources I now possess to create something new. Don’t assume the word create is limited to some endeavor in the fine arts. It could be as simple as beginning or starting something that doesn’t presently exist.
4. I want to master something.
I, at least, have the propensity to be the proverbial “jack of all trades.” While having a broad and diverse skill set is good, I want to have at least one skill where I am adept enough to be a servant of others. Mastery in this case is not for the purpose of pride. Mastery serves others because it allows one to share an expertise with another person and make their lives better.
As I said, if you find this framework compelling, by all means play with it and see what your four “goals” are for the year.
Happy New Year! 2017 has been good, and 2018 will be better!
