Should You Make New Year Resolutions?

(Post updated December 30, 2023)

Why do we make New Year's resolutions? Each new year brings a clean slate and the opportunity to reset and realign with our goals and purpose. Millions of people create a list of resolutions, and share them amongst family, friends, and social media. I did too, until two years ago when I decided not to make New Year's resolutions.

What did I do instead? I selected 1-2 words to focus on for the year. Choosing a word(s) for the new year helps bring focus and clarity to what you want to create in your life. When you focus on a word, the goal is to reflect on it throughout the year and see how to integrate it into your daily life. So your new year becomes more about personal growth and less about checking an item off a list.

My Word for 2020

For 2020, one of my words was intentional because I wanted to be more intentional about my thoughts. I’m no stranger to the bible verse, “As a man thinketh in His heart, so is He…,’ and quotes like "What we think determines what happens to us…" (Wayne Dyer). However, I still found myself thinking about a lot of negative thoughts in regards to my capabilities as an entrepreneur and business owner.

So what was the result? I found myself bringing intention into all areas of my life. Not only did I become intentional about my thoughts, but also with my time, words, and commitments. It was life-changing and helped change the trajectory of my life.

My Word for 2021

This year my word is faith, unrestricted. For years I had prayed and expressed a desire to get out of debt, student loans included. But last year was the first time I actually trusted God to do it. And not only did He put me in a position to pay off all my debts, but He allowed it to happen in record time. I was amazed, to say the least. That answered prayer opened my eyes to the magnificence of God. I simply had to truly exercise my faith and put in the work.

So this year, I’m not straddling the fence or holding back on what I ask of God. I’m excited to see my faith transformed this year and how it will greatly impact not only my life but those around me as well.

Final Thoughts

Please understand, that goals are great, and you should have some. I’m actually hosting a Goal Setting and Strategy workshop on January 27, 2024. Goals help you measure your successes and even identify areas of opportunities. However, they focus on a ‘thing’ and not the most important factor, YOU. You are the one who has to accomplish the goal, so the better you are, the greater your chances of accomplishing the goals you set throughout the year. Share your word(s) of the year below.