I don’t remember when I first started making my New Year’s resolutions, but I know that I’ve been doing it for a long time. At the end of every year, I do a “look-back” to determine which resolutions I have accomplished (either all or part) and which resolutions I have ignored. I would say that my batting average is about .500 – in other words, when it comes to resolutions, I usually bite off more than I can chew. The “resolution experts” would say that resolving to do more than you can accomplish is a prescription for unhappiness. But I disagree! I don’t see resolutions as “win-lose” propositions; I see them as a continuous process of aspiring to improve your life.
I know many people who absolutely will not make resolutions for the New Year. I think their reason for not making resolutions is best expressed by the quote, “He who breaks a resolution is a weakling; He who makes one is a fool.” There’s no doubt that making a resolution to improve your life involves the risk of failure. But, if we are afraid to define our aspirations, then how can we expect to achieve them? I believe that fear of failure results in people becoming spectators rather than participants in life, and I choose to be a participant.
My resolutions typically fall into the following categories: Personal Finance, Health/Fitness, Family & Friends, Recreation, Vacations, and Personal Improvement. The following are examples of resolutions that I might include in these categories:
· Personal Finance: Prepare a budget for 2024 and compare actual expenses to the budget.
· Health/Fitness: Workout 3 to 4 days/week. Meditate for fifteen minutes every morning.
· Family & Friends: Schedule weekly date night with my wife, Jaime. Schedule vacations to visit my kids and grandkids.
· Recreation: Improve my golf game by practicing my short-game at least three days per week.
· Vacations: Make a list of vacation destinations that Jaime and I would like to explore during the year and create a plan.
· Personal Improvement: Write weekly Substack articles – make a list of story ideas!
Will I accomplish all these resolution during 2024? Probably not! For instance, I might get sick or go on vacation and not be able to workout for a couple weeks, but I haven’t failed at my resolution to workout 3 to 4 days/week if I continue my workouts when I get well or return from vacation.
I know what you’re thinking, “That sounds like a lot of work, and I’m still hungover from New Year’s Eve.” Trust me, I feel your pain! In fact, I was recently inspired by Joe Maddon, former manager of the Chicago Cubs - World Series Champions in 2016, to consolidate all my New Year’s resolutions into one simple aspiration:
TRY NOT TO SUCK
I’m convinced that if we would all TRY NOT TO SUCK, the world would be a better place. Please join me in writing letters to all our elected officials demanding that they TRY NOT TO SUCK.
Note: The photo was taken today at our beach. It was 70 degrees and beautiful. Retirement doesn’t suck!
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