Time to ditch ‘goals’ and ‘resolutions’

Opinion

Shlomo Fishman

Capital Recreation is in business to make recreation accessible to all. I am not here to tell you the what, the who, and the when. I am here to support and encourage your positive behaviors. I am a Certified Recreational Therapist breaking down barriers to leisure and recreation participation. This blog is here as a tool to spread my personal thoughts and ideas. But most of all, to create and uplift our community! 

“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.” ~Michael Jordan

I am swapping out words like goals and resolutions for words like habits, lifestyles, and routines. For me, it is not just about checking the box and moving on. It is about integrating or continuing to do the things I love. Personally, being focused on a single pointed goal or a specific resolution can be counterproductive to the other things I am trying to balance in my life. Which is why I make a handful of long-term lifestyle choices, and a million small steps along the way. Example, if I plan to read one new book a month throughout the year, I am going to sit down and lay out the steps I need to complete to help me get there. My written goal will look similar to this. I will read one new book a month for the calendar year of 2021. I will make a list of the books I want to read (list out the books). I will designate sum amount of time each week and each day (totaling for the week) to keep me on my path. If you realize that you do not have enough time in your day, week, or month to meet this new habit – you must adjust! Instead, lengthen your interim steps. Break the routine in half and try to complete 6 books in a year. Do not throw in the towel because you can’t meet your new routine. Adjust, adjust, adjust!!! You can do (almost) anything with the correct planning. Further, by looking at the things we could do we are literally changing the chemical make up in our brains. An I can attitude, is probably the best thing we can do for ourselves and the people we surround ourselves with. The smile, good-word, virtual pat on the back or fist bump are contagious! Try it now. Pick up the phone, text, or email a word of encouragement. Not only will the receiver feel good, but you will also feel good as well. The same is also true about the opposite. Now, let us bring on 2021!