New Year’s Inspirations

As we head into 2015, it’s time for New Year's Resolutions, or Goals, or Intentions, or…pick your buzzword for life transformation. Whatever you call it, this is the season for taking inventory of the past year, evaluating what worked and what didn’t, and visualizing the months ahead. Many of us start to make a mental list, then put our goals down on paper and become energized about the “new self” we can now see so clearly. Whatever we’re trying to fix – become healthier, more accomplished in some way, a better friend, more productive, a better spouse – in the early days of the New Year it all seems delightfully within reach.

First, Clear the Obstacles

Unfortunately, most of us know all too well the feeling of having failed to meet these somewhat random goals. Maybe the reason we stumble and fall is because we’re concentrating on just fixing the symptoms, rather than the true problem. While yes, it is possible to white-knuckle our way to a “better self” through sheer willpower and discipline, the path of least resistance opens up when we simply ask ourselves why the old behavior happens in the first place, and then work to clear those obstacles.

Perhaps Some Inspiration

So, are you a resolution-maker? I confess that, in spite of my clear skepticism, I secretly make my list. I love making a list of planned achievements, and have found that it does help me, if not achieve things outright, it allows me to focus on the areas of my life that I feel need attention at the time. Having that focus provides clarity and helps me see the right path and clear the obstacles. I challenge each of you to at least take inventory of past successes and challenges, and commit to making small changes that will enhance your life and lift up the people around you.

There’s a famous quote from Oren Arnold that circulates around Christmas time, and perhaps it will give you some inspiration for a 2015 goal:

“Christmas gift suggestions:
To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To an employee, empowerment. (I hope Oren doesn’t mind, I added this one.)
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.”

Jim King is President & COO, Okuma America Corporation.