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PsyD, LCSW Emeritus, The Wellness Council of Greater Colorado Valley
Many Americans have a fun time each January 1st making their New Year’s resolutions and pronouncing them to the world, only to fail to follow through within a short time. The most common resolutions are losing weight, working out regularly and quitting smoking.
The idea of planning at the first of the year and making resolutions originated when the Romans placed their longestablished ritual on top of a Babylonian custom that usually took place during the pagan festival of spring.
It was a serious activity for the Romans, so they later moved it to January in honor of the two-headed god Janus, who looked both forward into the future as well as back into the past. Once the Roman’s became Christianized with the Emperor Constantine’s conversion in 321 A.D., the custom became solidified for January 1st in honor of the baby Jesus (feast of circumcision), which seems random and unrelatable to Christians today.
So, as you can see, there is a somewhat convoluted, complex yet rich history in starting the year off right with plans and resolutions.
In today’s world, many individuals use this tradition as a starting point but move from the game of it all to some serious personal and professional planning. Many corporations now schedule their strategic planning and the implementation of their long-range plans to coincide with January 1st.
Truth is, developing a personal and professional game plan has many benefits. These include: Clearer ideas about the quality of life and work you want.
Greater confidence in the choices and decisions you make.
Greater confidence in the skills, qualities and attributes you have to offer to the accomplishment of set goals, both personal and professional.
Having clarity of yourself and your goals, you’re in a better position to compete for jobs.
And regarding your job, you’re better able to discuss your skills, personal qualities and competencies with employers.
Planning requires problemsolving as you identify challenges and obstacles and over time, you improve your problem- solving skills.
Setting goals and the steps to achieve these goals creates a positive attitude, an ‘I can do this’ mentality which is associated with success.
There are few things more gratifying than having a sense of control over your own life – knowing where you are going and how you plan to get there.
So, how do you get started? First realize that your goal is to take charge of your destiny, safeguard your life, your family’s life and your career. As you merge and integrate your personal and family needs, desires and wants with your business life, a clear picture of priorities and steps to be taken emerges.
The process begins by developing three lists - one for personal, one for family and one for business/career focused on your needs first, then your wants and desires for each area.
You will gain insights, answer some questions for yourself, and begin to see the challenges as well as the opportunities for your life. After some reflection, combine your lists into one and divide that list between needs and wants/ desires.
Your list may be lengthy and even seem a bit overwhelming, but this first stage of planning should be free flowing in your thoughts without setting limitations. Now set this list aside for the time being and move on to stage 2.
This second stage requires being realistic and honest with yourself and your current situation.
1) Start with an objective review of your own core strengths and weaknesses. List them down thoroughly, not just being honest with yourself, but also seeking honest feedback from family, work associates and trusted friends.
2) Write down your current economic situation including income and a thorough list of expenses. There’s no room here for a ‘pie the sky’ attitude about finances. If your plans require financial support beyond your own, it’s time to talk to professionals or a nonprofit agency that specializes in growth, career and education, such as Workforce Solutions.
3) Now, go back to your combined list and with all the above taken into consideration, define long-term goals for where you want to be 5 –10--15 years from now, considering the three key aspects of your life: professional, personal/ family and financial.
You should use your plan as a guide, adding to or adjusting it as needed throughout the year, seeing it as a friend, a confidant, and a living document. Then use it in your ‘looking back into the past’ review, developing a new personal action plan at the first of each year thereafter.
I know you will find this to be a rewarding experience, just as the Romans did. And you will definitely make decisions in the coming year with greater ease and security.
I highly recommend a book, “The Oz Principle,” which defines accountability as “a personal choice to rise above one’s circumstances and demonstrate the ownership necessary for achieving desired results. Its lesson is basic: See It, Own It, Solve It, and Do It!
Wishing you the best of luck in this new and important venture, and a Happy New Year.
