Do you make resolutions, goals, or set up projects for the New Year? Personally, I’ve found that all three have merit. As people we make resolutions all the time. Really? Yep, we sure do. Remember being a kid and saying, “I don’t like Brussel Sprouts, I will not eat them, you cannot make me.” Sounds like you were pretty resolved on the whole “Sprouts” issue. (LOL) Most of us are also pretty familiar with goals. Like… I want to make the team, I want to get a B in Algebra, or I will read the entire Harry Potter series this summer…see goals, not so bad right? But what about projects? Often there is a gap between what we feel strongly about (resolutions) and what we want to accomplish (goals). Projects bridge that gap.

[image error]We accomplish projects all the time, often without thinking about it. Some of you went to work today and had piles of paperwork to sort, or  you made lunch or breakfast, what about packing up the car to leave grandma’s after Christmas break? All of these are projects, some small or big or daunting, but projects nonetheless.

Now, for me, I like the whole concept of starting off the New Year with a mixture of all three, resolutions, goals, and projects. But unlike many folks I give myself time to work these out and test drive them before I commit. That is what the first month of each year represents to me. The Trial Phase: I look back on things I resolved to change over the last year and decide if they are worth keeping, tweaking, or were really more of a hassle than a good return on my investment of time? If they measure up then I add them to my resolve list for the new year. I do try to keep this list short. Honestly how many things do you need to resolve to change about your day to day life? I’m not talking about goals, like losing weight or eating better…actual things to RESOLVE?

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Some people might say, “but how is resolving different from goal setting?” Here is an example that is pretty common in today’s culture. “I resolve to eat a vegan diet.”*** (ketogenic, vegetarian, low carb, high carb, etc.) That is the perfect example of a true resolution, it is a grand statement encompassing a sweeping change that will require goal setting and projects. And I think that is where the vast majority of resolutions fail. For major change to occur a person must either be willing to do the next step, of goal setting or start a project to make concerted change. Let’s take the example at hand, eating vegan.

[image error]Well if you haven’t done any research into what Veganism means (FYI it is way more than just what one eats), obviously that would be your first goal for your resolution. What does is mean to eat vegan. Next you might be getting a bit hungry so you would need to be able to go to your fridge or the grocery store and find something to eat. So when you understand what vegan is and what it is not then your next goal would be to make a list of staple foods you want to keep on hand that will make it easy for your to stick to your resolution. This set of basic goals might get you through the first week or so, but eventually you will have a craving for something off your safe foods list.  What about pie? Pizza? A biscuit or cookie? Or dare I say it, something meaty tasting? This is where the rubber meets the road on resolutions. Do you go give up? Or do you take this challenge on as a new goal?

Well, Business Insider, says that 80% of New Year’s Resolutions fail by February. This is why I think The Trial Phase for resolutions is so important. Sure you could throw your hands up and say, “Screw being vegan, I want a cookie!” Or you could see this moment as part of the process of change, and learn a new skill or try a new thing. Being vegan isn’t as hard as it was ten or twenty year’s ago. You want nuggets, go to the grocery store and read the ingredient list on the various veggie nugget options. Do you want vegan cookies that are as yummy as grandma’s? Get thee to a Whole Food’s or Trader Joe’s, they have them ready to eat. Or set a goal to learn a new skill, become a vegan baker, or at least perfect one dessert recipe that will keep your sweet tooth in check.

[image error]I think you see my point. Resolution leads to Goals which then can lead to Projects.

Resolved: I will eat a Vegan Diet
Goals: Learn about Veganism, Prepare list of safe foods, Find local sources of quick and easy vegan options, learn how to make vegan cookies.
Project: Vegan baking

 

What kind of resolution do you want to make for 2018?

***I think it is important for you to know Veganism isn’t my resolution for this year, but an example of a common resolution. Personally, one of my projects for the year is to learn how to do Low Carb Baking.

Here is blank resolution chart, if you try it out or post it to your instagram please tag me and let me know how it worked for you. @coolvstar650

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