Top Ten Reasons NOT to Create a 2009 Resolutions List
As the end of 2008 comes to a close, undoubtedly many of us will get the urge to create a New Year’s Resolutions list of endeavors we’d like to take-on, accomplish, or close-out in ‘09. America’s great citizens, though courageous and strong, have grown accustomed to needing a reason to get involved or to launch out in a new direction, thus the need for the annual affirmations. I say don’t do it.
Maybe this year’s one personal commitment should be a promise to ourselves to not depend on external forces to stimulate our actions. Or to celebrate our own small victories instead of awaiting the parade down Main Street in our honor. To help you resist the compulsion to draft a false promise memo worthy to be printed in a gazette, I’ve compiled a list of reasons why you should not.
Top Ten Reasons NOT to Create a 2009 Resolutions List
1. If your list wouldn’t include how you would cure cancer, improve the economy, solve the AIDS puzzle, broker world peace, or end racism in America, then your list would be irrelevant. Enough said.
2. This is a time for real change, not a time for your delusions.The palpable optimism for exponential positive growth and change in the world is visibly on the horizon. In contrast to that hope, global communities are teetering on their axes and can self-destruct at any moment. We need risk-taking leaders to guide us through the issues caused by the pull of these diametrical forces both home and abroad. Get a clue.
3. The economy is so bad that this year we all should be focused on the very basics ONLY. No bucket lists this year. You have neither the luxury nor time to fantasize. With the collapse of the financial markets around the world and historic job loss, be prudent this year (at least for the first half of ‘09). Think basics. Food, shelter, job. No list needed for that.
4. Resolutions are for idiots. Make practical plans instead. The five percent of the people who influence culture isn’t making lists. It’s making plans. Plans to start a business. Plans to launch a non-profit. Plans to generate opportunities and hope for others. While you’re making lists, someone else is actually doing. Better catch-up. More plans, less daydreaming.
5. You’re burdened with enough stress trying to manage your existing full plate. Do you need to add more to your to-do list? I mean, really?
6. You have enough reminders about your failures. Give your self-esteem a break this year.
7. Resolutions don’t earn money or pay your bills. Plans do. See #’s 3 and 4.
8. We already know your commitment to fitness won’t last past February 1. Here’s how we know: You re-signed-up for the gym and still only committed to the guest passes. Your claim to want to “test out” the gym won’t work this year. We see through you.
9. You need to shut up and just do “it”, whatever “it” is. Stop talking about “it” already. Enough said.
10 This year’s resolutions would be the same from last year, why bother? Right?
Add your reasons to this list so that together we can make a Top 100 list!!!
Ladies, be sure to checkout acclaimed author Maryann Reid’s post today Choose A Theme, Not Resolutions…Again.
Updates:
Altoria, Gaylord
Writer, San Clamente, CA
“My only resolution is to regain some privacy.”
Kyle Dowling
Sports Marketer, Atlanta, GA
“…New Year’s Resolutions can be downright silly. I think we should make a committment to forming a “plan for life.””
Twitter
LinkedIn
Subscribe
Brutally honest, but right on point. Talk is cheap!
Good post!
I agree, totally. New Year’s Resolutions can be downright silly. I think we should make a committment to forming a “plan for life”. My dad always told me…”Make a plan, then you work your plan. Period.” I’ve adopted that philosophy. Sometimes people make these resolutions when they know that they aren’t attainable. Who sets a goal that they can’t attain? That makes no sense.
Good top 10!
I concur….. I stopped doing “lists” long time ago. Why say you’re gonna do something; just do it. Stop writing things down, save a tree (there, you’ve done more than what was on your list!).
[...] Life as a Madison {December 31, 2008} Living in the Moment in 2009 With 2009 on the very near horizon, people across the world have been (and will continue to) reflect upon this past year and everything they have (or have not) accomplished. Over the past several weeks I have read numerous “best of 2008″ or “2008: a year in review” articles, blog posts and lists. I have also witnessed many people vow that 2009 will be the year that they accomplish everything they said they would accomplish in 2008 but never did. In the midst of all this reading I started to wonder what is wrong with me. Am I the only person who doesn’t believe in New Year’s resolutions? I mean, c’mon, if I really felt so strongly about going to the gym or cutting carbs out of my diet (or whatever the current diet trend is) what is so special about January 1 that would motivate me more so than I was last week, last month or even last year? Russell Thomas’ (@3rddeadline) blog post couldn’t have said it better. I urge you to check out “Top Ten Reasons NOT to Create a 2009 Resolutions List” (http://earnedrelevance.com/2008/12/top-ten-reasons-not-to-create-a-2009-resolutions-list/). [...]
[...] With 2009 on the very near horizon, people across the world have been (and will continue to) reflect upon this past year and everything they have (or have not) accomplished. Over the past several weeks I have read numerous “best of 2008″ or “2008: a year in review” articles, blog posts and lists. I have also witnessed many people vow that 2009 will be the year that they accomplish everything they said they would accomplish in 2008 but never did. In the midst of all this reading I started to wonder what is wrong with me. Am I the only person who doesn’t believe in New Year’s resolutions? I mean, c’mon, if I really felt so strongly about going to the gym or cutting carbs out of my diet (or whatever the current diet trend is) what is so special about January 1 that would motivate me more so than I was last week, last month or even last year? Russell Thomas’ (@3rddeadline) blog post couldn’t have said it better. I urge you to check out “Top Ten Reasons NOT to Create a 2009 Resolutions List” (http://earnedrelevance.com/2008/12/top-ten-reasons-not-to-create-a-2009-resolutions-list/). [...]
fine, sheesh…
*crumbles up list and tosses it in wastepaper basket*
list is gone. Happy now?!?!