21 Things That Beat Your New Year's Resolution
These goals are probably easier to accomplish than that new diet--and they're likely more rewarding, too.
Archive Photos/getty
The main problem with deciding on a New Year's resolution is the waiting part.
Why put off doing something you really want to do until a certain day? Anything worth doing is worth declaring and doing now.
Every statement listed below is based on an action--an action you're probably not taking. That's why knocking these off could pay greater dividends than almost anything currently on your to-do list.
And each is a lot easier to accomplish than some grand, sweeping, hopefully-life-changing-but-in-the-end-you-never-manage-to-accomplish New Year's resolution:
1. "That wasn't nearly as bad as I thought..."
The most paralyzing fear is fear of the unknown. (At least it is for me.)
Nothing ever turns out to be as hard or as scary as you think.
Plus it's incredibly exciting to overcome a fear. You'll get that "I can't believe I jumped out of an airplane!" rush, an amazing feeling you haven't experienced for too long.
2. "It's totally my fault."
People make mistakes. So we blame them for our problems.
But we are almost always to blame, too. Maybe we didn't provide enough training. Maybe we didn't foresee a potential problem. Maybe we asked too much, too soon. We did or did not do something we could have.
Take responsibility instead: Not in a masochistic, woe is me way, but in an empowering way. Take responsibility and then focus on being smarter or better or faster or more creative next time.
3. "I finally got started!"
You have plans. You have goals. You have ideas.
Who cares? You have nothing until you actually do something.
Every day, we let hesitation and uncertainty stop us from acting on our ideas. Fear of the unknown and fear of failure often stops me and may be what stops you, too.
Pick one plan, one goal, or one idea. And get started. Do something. Do anything. Just take one small step.
The first step is by far the hardest. Every successive step will be a lot easier.
4. "You're awesome."
No one receives enough praise. No one. Pick someone who did something well and tell them.
And feel free to go back in time. Saying, "I was just thinking about how you handled that project last year" can make just as positive an impact today as it would have then. Maybe a little more impact, because you still remember what happened a year later.
Surprise praise is a gift that costs the giver nothing but is priceless to the recipient.
5. "I'll show you, --hole."
I'm ashamed to admit it, but one of the best ways to motivate me is to insult me--or for me to manufacture a way to feel insulted, regardless of whether I'm justified in feeling that way or not.
See, whether I'm justified in feeling slighted or angry is not the point. I use rejection to fuel my motivation to do whatever it takes to prove that person wrong and, more importantly, achieve what I want to achieve.
Call it manufactured anger. Call it artificial competition. Call it, shoot, childish and immature. I don't care--it works for me.
And it can work for you.
So don't turn the other mental cheek. Get pissed off, even if your anger is unjustified and imaginary--in fact, especially if your anger is unjustified or angry--because that will help shake you out of your same thing, different day rut.
6. "Can you help me?"
Asking someone for help instantly recognizes their skills and values and conveys your respect and admiration.
That's reason enough to ask someone to help you. The fact you will get the help you need is icing on the achievement cake.
7. "Can I help you?"
Then flip it around. Many people see asking for help as a sign of weakness so they hesitate. Yet we can all use help.
But don't just say, "Is there anything I can help you with?" Most people will automatically say, "No, I'm all right."
Be specific. Say, "I've got a few minutes, can I help you finish that?" Offer in a way that feels collaborative, not patronizing or gratuitous.
And then actually help. You'll make a real difference in someone's life--and you'll take a solid step towards creating a connection with that person.
8. "I just did something no one else is willing to do."
Pick one thing other people aren't willing to do. Pick something simple. Pick something small. Whatever it is, do it.
Instantly you're a little different from the rest of the pack.
Then keep going. Every day do one thing no one else is willing to do. After a week you'll be uncommon. After a month, you'll be special.
After a year you'll be incredible, and you won't be like anyone else.
You'll be you.
9. "I don't care what other people think."
Most of the time you should worry about what other people think--but not if it stands in the way of living the life you really want to live.
If you really want to start a business but you're worried that people might think you're crazy, F 'em. If you really want to change careers but you're afraid of what people might think, F 'em. If you really want to start working out but you're afraid people at the gym will think you're fat or out of shape, F 'em.
Pick one thing you haven't tried simply because you're worried about what other people think--and just go do it.
It's your life. Live it. F 'em.
10. "They're no different than me."
Incredibly successful people don't necessarily succeed because they're smarter or more talented or somehow genetically gifted.
The only thing that makes them different from you is the fact they have done what you haven't done... yet.
