New Year’s Resolution Solution : With Whom will I Connect this Year?

 

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Have your New Year’s Resolutions derailed? Ask instead “With Whom will I connect this year?” This question fueled many January client sessions. (See last paragraph for a brilliant response.) As for New Year’s Resolutions, most are:

  1. Trite
  2. Goal vs. process oriented
  3. Prone to failure
A Mite Trite

Most fall in predictable categories of wellness, finances, productivity. Though commendable, other possibilities beckon. Expansive paths to joy and purpose lie beyond the habitual….losing (and then likely finding) 5 kilos.

New Year’s Resolutions also regiment to an artificial construct of circannual rhythm. There is lost opportunity in the focused fervor of New Year’s Day Resolve. The other 364 days of the year count, too. It is always a good day to set goals, especially if they are process oriented.

Goal vs. Process Oriente

New Year’s Resolutions are typically focused on an outcome. Would a business set KPIs without attention to factors necessary for success? Gaps to be addressed? Resources to be procured? Benchmarks defined? What are the odds of arriving at the destination goal with no plan for how to get there?

Failure Prone

No wonder New Year’s Resolutions have a statistical pattern of failure. A 9% success rate is consistent across studies. Not surprising for hyped holiday goal setting without plan, process, or accountability. New Year’s Resolutions are a Pass or Fail exam. When 91% fail, the annual rhythm disinclines reset and re-attempt. Failure is the final verdict; Self-grace is in abstentia.

Self-Grace, Self-Knowing, Self-Loving

Feelings of failure may be more detrimental than the actual failed resolution. Self-grace is elusive, and the rigidity of New Year's Resolutions makes it more so. Yet access to self-grace is a cornerstone for well-being. It enables learning from failure and believing in oneself.

What was that fabulous answer to "With Whom will you connect this year?”

 

                                               MYSELF!

 

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Shelly Priebe Orr

Since 2010 Shelly has consulted and coached companies of all shapes and sizes, ever finding herself in the midst of disruption. COVID made disruption the norm; It impacted the way people think about life and work and priorities. As the “Future of Work” is being reimagined Shelly works with companies and leaders to author their parts in the story. She delivers IPEC's Core Energy Coaching™ methodology to create awareness and shifts in the energy that feeds thoughts, emotions, and actions. She is also certified in Insights Discovery™ and Energy Leadership Initiative™ assessments. These days Shelly elevates her “inner introvert” as she relishes more time in her Tree House office overlooking Lake Austin. Her dogs rejoice that their daily trail runs are not too frequently interrupted by her travel. While she wears many hats, “Mom” of four age range 14 to 28 is her favorite, and she recently added the title of “Gogo” with the birth if her first Grandchild in 2021.