Joseph Asare Jnr

So the New Year, 2018 is here and as usual the buzz about New Year resolutions is back in vogue.

I am in two minds on this subject. It simply hasn’t worked for me as I have tried it so many times and never once succeeded on any of my resolutions, not even one. And if you think it is because I probably didn’t work hard at them or didn’t have a well-defined execution plan then yes, you are right. I never did and usually actually forgot about them during the year. So maybe that is why it never works for me. I am an advocate for setting goals or targets and so I understand the essence of New Year resolutions and can only encourage everyone who wants to do it, to do it.

But I also think the hype and buzz about New Year resolutions have become counter-productive for a couple of reasons. First, is the notion that resolutions can best (if not must) be set by New Year’s Eve or New Year day. People therefore feel pressured to pen down resolutions they haven’t particularly thought through well enough, simply because they have to. It is therefore not surprising that the sustained Will Power to follow through with them throughout the year isn’t there or potent enough.

Secondly people feel resigned to setting resolutions anytime within the year because they feel the need to wait for the buzz or “widely accepted period” of New Year to make those resolutions especially when we are already in the second half of the year. Imagine how much valuable time is lost with this procrastination because we are pre-conditioned to mostly start afresh in the coming year.

Thirdly for me is the question, what next? So you set a theme or make a list of focus areas or a list of actions then what? For resolutions to become results then there should be a deliberate roadmap also penciled down after setting these resolutions even before getting a go at your first resolution. Having a resolution whether SMART or not and launching into execution mode without deliberate roadmap with timelines will not yield the intended results. Then you get into my usual situation of poor track record with New Year resolutions.

So I don’t have anything particularly against New Year resolutions except we must ensure it does lead to results and doesn’t become mundane. I will be making my resolutions nonetheless in the month of January because I need a bit more time to prioritize my many interests and pen down properly.

Wish you well as you pen down your resolutions and hope you are much more deliberate about it this time.