
Are you serious with your new year resolution?
Though the practice of carving New Year resolutions on stone
tablets (called smartphones nowadays) is not only as old as the hills, but also
as fickle and short-lived a la Moses’ first inscription of the Ten
Commandments. But what makes a New Year attract so many resolutions, while the
gravitational forces of a New Moon cannot? Besides, do we really need one more,
particularly, when the resolution made last year waned much faster than a full
moon? A research by the University of Scranton states that a
whopping 90% of people fail to achieve their New Year resolution.
So, is making new year resolution just a fad, which passes away
with time? Yes, if your year is going to fly through aimlessly and you already
have that year-end party in sight. But, “No”, if you have resolved not to give
up on attending to your resolutions, until it achieves its purpose. Resolution
is the noun form of the verb ‘resolve’, which borrows its roots from the Latin
word resolvere, which means "to loosen”, “to undo” or “to
settle”. It is always a temptation for human beings to give up so easily – be
it career, jobs, dreams, leanings, relationships, or worse, life itself.
On the contrary, notable achievements and inventions in this world
have come only after much failures experienced by the successful. Behind every
successful man, whether it is Thomas Edison, Wright Brothers, Michael Jordan,
Abdul Kalam, Steve Jobs or Virat Kohli, there wasn’t just a woman (success
knows no gender), but also tenacity that kept them pushing forward toward
success. Therefore, not to settle or loosen the grip when the going gets tough
is what determines one’s success. Confucius once said, “When it is
obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the
action steps.”
So, what is the determining factor to fulfill our New Year
resolutions or let’s say, not to give-up? A quick diagnosis of people infected
with the virus “Indiscipline”, indicate them manifesting four disabling
symptoms. If one isn’t watchful of these symptoms, it can result in premature
goal closure or even career arrest. Hence, it is highly advisable not to launch
into new resolution creation this year, before undergoing the necessary
treatment, if you observe one or more of the following four symptoms.
1. (P)eople
Pleaser: This is the kind (the cool guy) who exists only to
fulfill others’ dreams. And when they finally get down to work on their dream,
if at all they get time, they get discouraged or distracted by others’ opinion
of their ideas. Treatment: They desperately need “a double
negativity filter” fitted in their hearts, which could absorb any heartburns
and fear of failure.
2. (Q)uick-fix Lover: This
is the kind (the impatient guy) who just loves shortcuts to success and
expect results overnight. They don’t have the patience and grit to convert
actions into habits by diligently repeating the same actions day after
day. Treatment: They desperately need “a steely nerve” to see
their idea through to fruition, through hard work and determination.
3. (R)epeat Offender: This
is the kind (the bad guy) who prides themselves in getting arrested and
often in style. They fail to differentiate the fact that while it is acceptable
to make mistakes, it is abject idiocy to walk straight into that pit
again. Treatment: They desperately need “a telescopic
eyesight” to see why their last year resolution accumulated so much dust.
4. (S)tar Gazer: This
is the kind (the lost guy) who is so awestruck with what’s going on
around, that they hardly appreciate or find time for their own projects and
goals. They fail to realize the grass would look greener wherever it is
watered. Treatment: They desperately need “a quick shot of
self-esteem” which could help keep their head held up high.
As we began (A,B,C,D…..) a new year
with lots of hope and determination, it would be worthwhile to remember that
any good start counts only when we finish well (….W,X,Y,Z). And to last long in
this 2019 marathon, we need to be in good health to overcome some major hurdles
along the way, namely the symptoms (P,Q,R,S), listed above. Else, we can slow
down, quit, or worse, retreat to our blocks of doing things the same way as
before. So, as you ponder on making a New Year resolution, resolve to hold onto
your towel. Orville Wright, a pioneer in aero-industry, believed he can go the
distance when he quipped, “If birds can glide for long periods of
time, then why can’t I?”
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