Beginnings

Happy New Year!!! — Happy New Decade!!!

by tkbrown

The start of a New Year is traditionally a time for New Beginnings. Resolutions are made with the specific intent of changing behaviors that hinder us from being the best person we can be. The custom dates to ancient days in many countries and cultures. It is often tied to religious customs designed to acknowledge wrongdoing of the past year, seek forgiveness and determine not to repeat the forgiven offense. This year, complicating matters involving resolutions for 2020 is the beginning of a New Decade as well. Many will be setting long-term goals for the decade in both business and personal endeavors.

Resolutions are meant to strengthen our resolve in attaining specific goals. The problem is, more than half are unable to maintain the expected behavior modification. It is important to resolve changes that are small steps toward an intended goal. Keep the expected change small enough to be attainable.

Designating behavioral change above that which one is able to attain often leads to self-deprecation due to the difficulty of achieving the desired goal — so it is lost even before it is begun. If you embrace the custom of resolving change as each new year begins, be kind to yourself. Don’t expect too much. Set an attainable goal, because then you can be pleased with the progress you have made — and you can truly celebrate the end of a good year when New Years’s Day 2021 comes ’round. Above all, as some wise person once said — Live, Laugh, Love!!!

Happy New Year!!!!