I normally write about fun holidays that land on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, but January 17th is “Ditch your Resolution Day”. I typically don’t make resolutions in the first place, so why am I bringing this up?
As part of a leadership/ personal development program I am enrolled in at work we are reading Stephen Covey’s best seller “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”. Having never read it before I had no idea what to expect. Now that I have read it, I encourage everyone, no matter what your line of work, to read it. This is not your standard “how to succeed in business” book. This book (and the class I’m in as well) places all of the emphasis on personal development and personal values and how to live your entire life by those core ideas.
As you might imagine, this approach leads to a lot of self-reflection. Am I really leading my life to the fullest by doing the things that promote what’s most important to me? I daresay that for most of us the answer is “no”. I know it is for me.
So, while I do still hate New Year’s resolutions and will continue to not make them, I AM doing to move ahead being more mindful of what’s really important to me. I know I won’t be perfect. Old habits are hard to break, and at 50 I’m still trying to figure out exactly who I am. But I know honesty, truth, and loyalty are important to me. I know that metal health advocacy is important to me. I know that kindness is important to me. I know that animal welfare is important to me. And that’s a good place to start 2022.