Dear Reader,
This will probably be my last post of the year. So it’s only right that I talk about ambitious New Year resolutions that people will be making for 2010, and even the next decade.
I gave up on New Year resolutions a loooooooong time ago. Why? Because the idea of a “New Year resolution” just provides false hope that a new year will allow us to do something that we’ve always wanted to do (or failed at) before. Why would we wait until the next year to do this? Unless outside forces overcome us and prevent us from doing anything, we pretty much get a new chance at the wake of everyday to set goals for ourselves–which are just what resolutions are. Goals. So stop being lazy and set your goal before January 1, 2010. Don’t get me wrong, the end of the year is a great time for self-reflection. I’m just saying that you don’t have to wait for January 1st to start your ‘transformation.’
Anyway, if you find yourself uttering any of the following cliché resolutions, just kill yourself now.
1. “2010 is going to be MY year,” or “I’m going to be brand NEW in 2010.”
FAIL, FAIL, FAIL. Unfortunately for you, there are 6+ billion other people you have to share 2010 with. And unless you pull off some sort of weird “Benjamin Button” phenomenon, you will not be new. You will NEVER be new. From the day you are born, you can only be IMPROVED. So work on improving yourself rather than trying to emulate something or someone you are not.
2. “I’m going to work out (insert unrealistic schedule here).”
While the thought of a new year may help some to become motivated and step into a gym, let’s be realistic. If you haven’t stepped foot on a treadmill in over a year, there is no way you will maintain a 5-day a week routine. Start off small and work your way up. There’s no rush–you’ll get there if you’re really committed.
3. “I’m going on a diet.”
Whatever. Anyone can go on a diet. No bread, no meat here, cut off anything sugar, or just starve yourself. However you do it is irrelevant. If your goal is just to lose weight then so be it. But more than likely, you will fail in trying to maintain your slimmer figure because you were only thinking about the short-term result rather than the long-term. Losing weight is more so about a healthier lifestyle. So do some research and work on that before you resort to water and rice cakes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
4. “I’m cutting out irrelevant people in life.”
Ok….I suppose if you really have as many friends in real life as you do on Facebook, it would be a good idea to trim your social circle a bit. But actually think about why you don’t want to keep in touch anymore. Do they irritate you constantly? Are they just acquaintances? Were they just your ‘going out’ buddy because they stayed in the room across from yours in the dorms? I say think about it, because you still want to have network of significance. Yes a lot of us are out of college now and struggling to find a job–but when that guy who you met through a friend does find a job in your industry or ideal company, you will be at an advantage compared to other applicants because you may be able to get some good information out of him. Just be wise in who you pick and choose to stay in your network because it can help you in the future.
5. “I’m going to be more (insert new personality here).”
Unless you’re really good at acting, that’s not going to happen at the clap of a director’s slate. And it can also lead to phoniness. And WE ALL know how much phonies SUCK. If you want to be less uptight, practice your reactions to the small things that would normally bother you. Want to be more assertive? Then practice the way you talk, your eye contact, and body gestures in front of the mirror. Test it out on your siblings or relatives since they are bound by the ‘love-you-no-matter-what’ rule. It’s better practicing with them than your boss or co-worker.
These are just a few recurring resolutions that hit my ‘easily irritable’ bone that I’ve mentioned before. Anyway, I hope to see a BETTER you in the future.
Sincerely,
Still Doing It Better Than You In 2010
