So, here’s the problem with new year resolutions. They lack resolve. Or rather, we do. Each January 1, we make a vague promise to ourselves. We know we’ve never kept any of these promises from new years past. In fact, by the end of January we’re likely to have forgotten what we resolved on the 1st. But this doesn’t stop us making a new resolution each year – or maybe rehashing unfulfilled ones from the past.
Making a new year resolution is like deciding to build a boat. Until you draw up plans, buy the timber and start construction, you won’t have a boat.
So, here’s a suggestion. If you have made a resolution, use your favourite project management program to create a calendar.
Establish the key milestones. Set deadlines. Break the project down into bite sized tasks. Track progress. Be as disciplined as if your resolution were a business project.
You might need help bring your resolution to fruition. Maybe you want to learn a new skill. Who can teach you that skill? Set researching online courses as a task. Set a deadline.
Set course selection as a second task. Give yourself a deadline.
Because many online courses are done at your own pace, set course completion as a third milestone.
Maybe you want to find groups who share your interest. Set this as another task with a deadline. Search Facebook for groups. Search the internet for forums.
If you need the physical support of others to realise your resolution, then build a project team for your resolution. Who do you invite to be part of your team? Others who share your interest. You might know them through your current circle of friends. Or you might find them through existing groups or forums. The people most likely to help you achieve your resolution are those who want to achieve it themselves. They might also be people who will benefit from your resolution or with specialist skills you lack. For example, if your resolution is to write a book, and you have a publisher as a friend, then ask for that person’s feedback on your book’s outline, the first chapter or completed manuscript.
Haven’t made a new year resolution? Nothing says it has to be made on January 1. What are you passionate about? What is something you wished you’d done when younger? (And now think you’re too old to start. You’re not!)
If you’ve always wanted to do something, but you’ve somehow failed to do it, 2018 might as well be the year you achieve it. Give it the attention and commitment it deserves. Treat it like a serious business project.
If you need a project management program, find the best here. For PCs: https://goo.gl/Njmr2V. For Macs: https://goo.gl/Lhta6i
Photo by Kristopher Roller via Unsplash
