Six Every-Day Resolutions for Every Day

It’s the Little Things that Make the Big Differences

There will be a woman sweating profusely, lifting dumbbells to shoulder height for a few more reps. A man ordering salads rather than French Fries at lunch. And a business owner following up with clients more often. They’ll all be chasing their New Year’s resolutions.

They’re the big things we promise to do for ourselves and others at the beginning of each trip around the sun.

Lose 50 pounds.
Go to the gym. Every. Single. Day.
Volunteer for 100 hours.

Some people will keep their resolutions throughout the year, many for a few weeks, most for just a day or two. That’s all OK.

But sometimes it’s the every-day resolutions that make the greatest, longest-lasting differences.

And I do mean “every-day resolutions,” i.e., resolutions I make every day, not “everyday resolutions,” which would be “common” or “normal.” Some of the resolutions I strive to keep seem to be in short supply in the world today. But if we look closely enough – inside ourselves, maybe? – they’re there.

Do I live up to these every-day resolutions all the time? No. Not even close. But I rededicate myself to them every day, anyway.

Believe in Yourself

DO NOT worry about what others might think of you or something you’ve done or said. You have enough to worry about without adding others’ perceptions, opinions and judgements to the list. Can you control those perceptions, opinions and judgements? No. So don’t waste any time on them.

Be True

Be real. Be genuine. Don’t, as my mother used to say, “put on airs.” People sense it when you do. Worse, you know it.

That’s the first part of “Be True.” The second is integrity.

Tell the truth, even when it hurts. Do what you say you’re going to do. Keep your word, always. And if you screw up, take responsibility and fix it immediately.

Only then can people count on you. Not only will you gain others’ confidence (even though we’re not worried about what they think), but you’ll gain confidence in yourself.

Think Positive

My father preached it every day. It’s tough to see the light, let alone do what’s right, when you only see the dark side of things. Darth Vader jokes aside, thinking positive leads to possibilities, thinking negative to immobility.

Be Kind

It’s the Golden Rule – Treat others the way you wish to be treated.

And, I remind myself, be more than just nice.

It’s great when people are nice, but it’s greater when they’re kind. There’s a world of difference between the two, in my book.

Not that there’s anything wrong with nice; not at all. But where nice can be fleeting courtesy, kindness is deeper caring. It’s this depth that truly makes a difference in people’s lives, ours and others’.

True kindness is a form love. And to paraphrase The Fab Four, that is all we need.

Do Your Best

Anything worth doing is worth doing well. Whatever “it” is, give it everything you’ve got. Otherwise it’s a waste of time.

Smile

Smile and the world smiles back at you. It’s a cliché for a reason. Give it a try.

Every Day at A Time

If losing 50 pounds or going to the gym every single day or donating 100 hours of your life to others is what you want, if you believe it will make you a better person and improve the lives of others, awesome. Go for it.

But it’s the resolutions we make every today and remake every tomorrow that keep us on track, truly happy and sharing goodwill with others.

The rest takes care of itself.