The chances of fulfilling your new year’s resolutions this year are between 4%-10%, depending on which source you’re reading. In any other decision we make regarding where to invest our time, effort or dollars in business or in life, we would not choose to make this investment. So why do so many of us continue to do this year after year?
The definition of insanity according to Albert Einstein is, “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” The act of making New Year’s Resolutions is a prime example of insanity. Will you step out of the insanity cycle with me this year and try something new?
Rather than starting your year off destined to fail at another list of goals you set for yourself, why not start it off with hope? I’ve been doing the ONE-WORD NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION for four straight years now, and it has been life-changing. I’ve also taught it to others, incorporating it into our own family’s traditions and within the teams and organizations I’ve led. It’s simple, engaging and fun to do with others. I want you to try it.
Here’s how it works. Early in December, I start praying about what my word for the next year should be and start paying attention in my daily life about what God is revealing to me. I also spend quiet time reflecting on the current year’s word and write down the growth I’ve achieved in that area. This exercise is about celebrating the growth, however small it may be, rather than putting myself down about where I fell short. I reflect on where I’d like to be in a year and begin to think about some of the things that would be required to achieve the vision. I also think about things that may be in the way of me achieving that vision. I usually come up with several words as possibilities. I continue to pray over them, seek advice and counsel from others who know me, and finally on New Year’s eve I settle on my one word. Once I pick the word, I can’t change it. It is set in stone for 12 months, and it becomes the focus of my activity, thoughts, and behaviors for the year. This doesn’t mean that it takes priority over the most important things in my life like my spouse, kids, relationship with God. And it doesn’t become an unhealthy obsession. But it guides my decisions and actions throughout the year in this area that was important enough to be “the one thing.” It’s that simple – there is no form to fill out, no monthly progress reports, or check-ins with anyone else. Your success will be measured by the fruits of your effort, which I promise will be evident.
This is an exercise in focus, which we can all use. Jim Collins said, “If you have more than three priorities you have no priorities.” This is so true and it’s a major reason why so many businesses struggle with internal chaos, which affects everything from their customer experience to their corporate culture to their standing in the marketplace.
This is an exercise that will produce results that you and others will notice. This will start something slowly that creates momentum over time. It will allow you to go deep into your area of focus rather than staying shallow across many. You will become a student of your word and everything about it. And over time, as you continue to do this year after year, you’ll notice that the words from past years never go away. The words have a cumulative effect on your life and behaviors.
If you’re not a praying person that’s okay – it can still work for you! If you’re not a journaler, that’s okay too, although I’d like to challenge you to start journaling on occasion and watch as your judgment, wisdom and overall success grow.
I started doing the one-word resolution going into 2016, and my word going into that year was “Love.” That year I reflected on the definition of love, and the biblical definition of love. I memorized 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. I focused on being more patient, kind, accepting, humble, selfless, hopeful, trusting and speaking truth. It wasn’t easy and I felt like I was failing more than succeeding, but that was only because it was now something I was aware of. Before I had that one-word resolution I wasn’t even thinking about holding grudges, “keeping records of wrongs,” or being jealous of others. The simple fact that I was seeing these things in my family life, my work life, among my team, my kids, each of my direct reports, my boss, my spouse, through the lens of “love” was growth for me. It changed relationships. And I was tested in this. 2016 was a devastating year in our new marriage, but I exercised hope, trust and perseverance. It was a difficult year parenting a teenage step-daughter. But I exercised speaking truth.
In 2017, my word of the year was “Health.” I took my team on walking meetings rather than sitting down for hours, and we started plank challenges at work. I hired a personal trainer and learned what I should eat to lose weight and be healthier, and started exercising. I didn’t always follow that diet. But I learned. And I grew. By the end of that year, I weighed more than I did at the beginning of the year, which would be seen as a failure. But, since the words have a cumulative effect, “health” carried into the following year, and today I’m 13 pounds lighter than I was when I made that resolution. And I have balance in my work and home life. My body fat percentage is down. I’m teaching our kids healthier habits. And I’m working out more consistently.
In 2018, my word of the year was “write.” I’ve always wanted to be a writer and I wanted the freedom of being able to work from home and somehow make money writing, so I decided I would focus on writing and begin building content. It wasn’t until the last quarter of that year that I wrote anything at all, and it was just a safe little article I published on LinkedIn where anyone in the world can publish almost anything they wish. But I wrote. And since then I’ve started my own business and created work that matches my unique talents and fulfills my career dreams.
As I embark on 2019 my word is “Confidence.” I’ve always struggled with self-worth and self-esteem, and as I start this new business, I’ve noticed my negative self-talk has kept me from moving forward for a long time. It’s my lack of confidence that is impeding my own success as an entrepreneur. I’ve second-guessed my decisions as it relates to my own business. I’ve compared myself to others who are ahead of me and have already “made it” as leadership experts. I’ve told myself I have nothing new or interesting to say, and that I can’t make a living doing this – whatever “this” is. I know those things aren’t true – and this year I’m choosing rest in the truth that I was created for a purpose. I have unique talents in assessing situations and people and quickly identifying opportunities and obstacles and creating plans to overcome, capitalize and succeed. I want to transform careers and the world of work by guiding others to clarify and live out their purpose– to change lives, and to create an ideal life for myself and our family.
So even though it’s already the start of the new year, it’s not too late to pick your one word for 2019! Will you tell me what it is and why you picked it?
