Keep the Status Quo for 2008
The new year has come, with all sorts of talk about great changes you can make. But let’s be realistic. Most of us are going to keep doing the same old thing, again.
Why make a resolution?
I’ve never understood why people set new year’s resolutions for themselves. Yeah, I’ve done it in the past too. But why?
It’s like we’ve screwed up all the previous years, and now it’s our chance to make things right. Do you think January 1 wipes the slate clean? I know my creditors don’t think so.
Unique goals for the year
You’ve probably seen lots of blog posts musing on about great things for 2008. I’ve seen my share as well. Some are pretty cool, and some are down right interesting:
- Choose your clients wisely
- Be uplifting
- Save the world
- Help non-profits
- Save carbon
- Increase dividend investments
Keep on keepin’ on
Are those types of goals for you? If so, more power to you. I wish you a slim, cigarette-free, financially-happy 2008.
But I’m just going to keep trucking like I have been. Instead of writing “07” on my checks, now I’ll write “08.”
Plan better
I personally think it’s a mistake to plan changes around January 1. You’re just falling into the media hype about the new year being upon us.
Instead, plan two different goals: short and long term. I have goals for several months out, and I have goals for several years out. I don’t plan much in between. Life is just too unpredictable.
A question for you…
Anybody have a good gym recommendation? I’ve been wanting to join one, so I might as well take advantage of a New Year’s sale. 🙂
Photo by mugley
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Comments
11 Responses to “Keep the Status Quo for 2008”
January 8th, 2008
Andrew, thanks for the link.
I agree with you that new year resolutions are silly. Just like Valentine’s Day. People should set goals through out the year, and couples should enjoy a night out on a regular basis.
For me, my New Year’s resolution is just one of my many goals that I’ll set in 2008.
FJ
January 8th, 2008
FJ,
Thanks for your comment! I definitely didn’t mean anything crude by my post here. I was feeling a little cynical, when I thought of the angle.
I do wish you the best with all of your goals!
January 9th, 2008
Very interesting/original post, Andrew. It is really good advice, and I completely agree that you shouldn’t buy into all of the hype the media creates. I really like your idea of planning long and short term goals (and it is certainly in their best interest to not wait every year until January 1st to start targeting them).
Thanks for the link, and I didn’t think it was crude at all. It is a refreshing opinion.
January 9th, 2008
pratt – Thanks for the great comment. I do hope you have a great 2008, and please stop by any time!
January 11th, 2008
So basically you are encourage people to make a resolution not to make a resolution. 🙂
January 12th, 2008
Mark – Great way to put it!
January 13th, 2008
Andrew,
I think it’s only natural, when the beginning of the new year rolls around, for people to begin to assess the past year and think about how they might improve upon it in the coming year. I don’t believe this originates from media hype, at all, but is just a natural tendency that we have in response to the passing away of the old year and the start of the new one. It can be the same way with birthdays: we are faced with our own mortality, realizing that another year has passed and thinking of how we might focus more on achieving the goals we have for our lives.
Jeanne
January 13th, 2008
Jeanne – Thanks for the great comment! Now I’m really wondering about the historical background for new year’s resolutions. I wonder if it’s something people have always done, or if it’s relatively new.
January 25th, 2008
I am trying to get in the habit of monthly resolutions. I started in December, which helped because I wasn’t linking it to the miasma of failure that surrounds yearlong resolutions of January. It’s working well so far, but they are habits of mind so far, not “work out more” type habits. Maybe those are easier?
February 2nd, 2008
techne – I like the idea of monthly resolutions; nice plan. I’m glad they’re going well for you so far.
April 1st, 2008