I Make Resolutions Every Day. I Don’t Wait for the New Year.

Write in your heart that every day is the best day of the year.

“New year, same shit…” When I first heard that, I rolled on the floor.

Maybe there’s something magical about how one year rolls into another and that’s why people get out their visual boards and journals and write stuff on them.

One year is a pretty long time to make and break resolutions. Besides, it’s hard to will shit. Things come up all the time. Needs arise throughout the 52 weeks of the year.

A better approach is to state realistic goals based on what the exigencies are and then outline the steps that lead to those goals. You’ll see that you implement stuff throughout the year.

Some months ago, I went to a conference on aesthetics. There was a lot of talk about new technology, way past Botox, to get great skin. I walked over to the keynote speaker during tea break and asked: “what role do nutrition and hydration play in this?” He gave me an answer.

As I walked away, I summarized his answer in my head. Good nutrition and hydration are the primary approaches to good skincare. The new technology he spoke about is the tertiary approach to good skincare.

Putting it simply, I ought to embrace drinking water. Sunscreen, exfoliation, and moisturizing are inevitable. Vegetables in various colors are king. Sugar is poison. These need to happen regularly. Outcome: great skin.

You could turn the equation the other way around and state: I want to have better skin, after which you outline the steps to achieve it.

I could try his new technology, but I wouldn’t likely need it as much as those who don’t have the primary approach in place.

The tertiary approach would have its own steps, including put money aside for my first $800 aesthetician visit. Apparently, each person needs about 3 visits to get the desired outcome. Do the math.

The goal of having great skin didn’t materialize at the beginning of the new year. It is something I have always prioritized. The conference presented itself as an opportunity and reinforced that goal. I adjusted my daily schedule to meet the goal.

My bank contacted me a few months ago, offering me a consolidated loan. Something within me did not want that loan. I then remembered, for me to access that loan, I’ll need to make a formal application.

Most credit organizations do due diligence and check your credit score. It could affect the terms of their offer. When they do, it’s a hard check so you lose some points off your score. I did not want that, so I delayed my response.

They had given me a few months to respond, after which the offer would expire. So I set a new goal. Boost credit score by 50 points. Steps: minimize the use of my credit cards. Pay much more than the minimum balance. Outcome credit score went up and I could now respond to their offer. I didn’t cos I really didn’t need that offer.

You may have aspirations. These aspirations could follow you from year to year. Try this approach anytime during the 365 days of the year. State the goal. Research the steps needed to accomplish the goal. Outline them. Add them to your To-do list and gradually tick them off.

Some people put timelines beside their goals. It’s okay, as long as you give yourself wiggle room and unforeseen circumstances don’t creep up. Remember Covid-19?

I’ll also add that having the right support system in place helps. You can have an accountability partner or partners or something that helps your progress.

For those who believe in prayer, don’t forget to add that to the mix. It’s a catalyst as it gives insight, direction, and strength.

See you guys on the other side and wishing you a prosperous 2023 with less drama, wiser choices, and better outcomes.

Thanks, Jason Edmunds

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.- Ralph Waldo Emerson.