Forget Resolutions. Try This Instead

Each January, millions of people resolve to a slew of lofty commitments. We resolve to save more, eat less, improve our relationships, and hit the gym. The idealistic goals span from fitness to career; family to community. Yet the vast majority of these well-intentioned targets are abandoned early, only to be revived for a short period the following January.
 
One of the biggest challenges we face is trying to accomplish too many things. The Chinese proverb, “Chase two rabbits and they will both escape,” sums it up perfectly. If we try to tackle an unwieldy number of objectives, we end up missing them all.
 
A few months ago, a friend shared a different approach, which he proclaimed as “life changing.” Instead of plotting out an extensive list of unrealistic targets, he chooses a single Word of the Year. This becomes a single theme that he carries through his entire calendar, reinforcing the concept and focusing on its manifestation. Over a ten-year period, he’ll have conquered ten big concepts with vigor instead of making two hundred weak-hearted attempts with little results.
 
I’ve been reflecting on this notion leading up to the New Year, trying to carefully choose my own annual theme. Top contenders included “elevate,” “compassion,” “mindfulness”, and “inspire.”  I ended up with one word – Health – which will be my 2018 guiding principle. It’s not just about shedding a couple unwanted pounds, but I’ll spend the year going deep on all aspects of health, from sleep to exercise to nutrition to longevity. Brain science to managing cholesterol, I’m taking it on. I plan to break the year into quarterly sprints, with those divided into monthly dashes. I plan to engage friends with discussions on the topic, connect with experts in the field, and read extensively on this singular focus. I’ll chart my progress, course-correct along the way, and reflect on learnings and setbacks.
 
In the fall, I plan to review my efforts and begin the careful selection process of a brand new Word of the Year for 2019. Like my friend who shared this brilliant concept, I wholeheartedly believe that a single-themed annual focus will yield far better results than the typical long list of resolutions that are so easy to abandon.
 
With unprecedented change and a delicate geo-political climate, new approaches are needed. This year, take the One Word Challenge. Go deep and remain focused on your most important objective, with intense follow-through for 12 straight months. Pick 20 things and fail, but pick one and savor incredible results.
 
Here’s to your best year yet…