12-22-22

Resolutions the Right Way

New Year’s resolutions come in all shapes and sizes, and with 2022 shortly coming to a close, it’s a topic that has been on the minds of many of us. We know that this is a topic that has become quite polarized. Some argue that resolutions are beneficial and keep you striving to improve while others argue just the opposite, that they are no good and only set you up for failure and disappointment. Here at New Earth, our stance on resolutions is that they are essentially the same as goals and can be declared at any time of the year. 

If you look up the definition of resolutions, you will find that it’s a decision to either do something or not do something, which means you can really use the words resolutions and goals interchangeably in this context. Whether you resolve to do something or set a goal to do something, you are doing essentially the same thing—striving to accomplish something.

Goals, or resolutions, can be declared at any time. You don’t need the turn of a year to make a plan to change certain aspects of your life. If you wake up on a Tuesday in the middle of June and decide you are ready to lose weight, by all means, start right away. If you are walking down the road on a nice spring afternoon and are inspired to learn a new language, get started. If you read an article on a Sunday morning in January that inspires you to boost your income, find an opportunity that fits you and get to work. The bottom line is this: when you feel that inspiration and motivation burning inside of you, take action!

Are you feeling motivated and inspired right now? Is your blood pumping? Are your wheels turning? Are you itching to make a change but don’t know where to start? If so, you’re not alone. After all, we’ll shortly be starting a New Year, which often brings a sense of excitement and forward-thinking with it. So, if you are itching to make a change in 2023, the two big questions to ask yourself are: what change do you want to make and how can you set yourself up for success? 

During times like these, we recommend using something called the 3 to 5 Principle. 

The 3 to 5 Principle trains your brain to sift through the stagnation of analyzing and kickstarts what psychologists call “activation energy.” It brings you to the most important aspect of development through goal setting, which is to DO. When you can quickly get to DO, you will become an unstoppable force of nature. 

How do you go about applying this principle? Start by asking yourself a few questions…

  • What do I want in the next 3 to 5 years? 
  • What do I want in the next 3 to 5 months? 
  • What do I want in the next 3 to 5 weeks?

In your answers, you will find your short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals. But, what good is a goal without a plan of action? That’s where the second part of this principle comes in and helps define your actions. Now, ask yourself these questions…

  • What can I do in the next 3 to 5 months to move closer to that specific goal? 
  • What can I do in the next 3 to 5 weeks to bring me closer? 
  • What can I do in the next 3 to 5 days to move forward on my path? 

With this simple exercise, you can take your inspiration and motivation and turn it into a real plan, any day, any time, any season. 

So, what are you going to be working on in the New Year? Are you feeling inspired to take action? Go ahead, make a plan and get after it!