“Broken Resolutions”

We are already, believe it or not, halfway through the first month of January of this New Year. So, let me ask you, how are you doing with those New Year resolutions? My guess is, you’ve probably broken a few already. Already? Yes, already.

Maybe you’re like the woman who was speaking to her husband. “I don’t want to brag,” she said, “but here it is February and I’ve kept everyone of my New Year’s Resolutions. I’ve kept them in a manila folder in the back of my desk!”

So, what’s the solution? Should we give up on making resolutions altogether? No, resolutions can be positive action steps in improving our behavior patterns. Although we may not always keep all the resolutions we make all the time, the very fact that we are making them and trying, can in itself be a tremendous move in the right direction.

Even though you may have already broken that diet you determined to stay on, or missed a cardio workout or two or even three, or not spent time journaling like you said you would, or not controlled your words like you resolved, I want to encourage you to keep going and not give up on those broken resolutions. Half the battle is starting. The other is half is not quitting when you stumble and fall in the process. When you find that you’ve stumbled, pick yourself up and simply start again. As you determine in your heart to keep going, remembering these three things can help you stay on track: 

GO BACK TO YOUR PURPOSE. What was your purpose in making that resolution? Was it to stay healthier? Was it to get closer to God and deepen your relationship with Him? Was the purpose of your resolution to better yourself with others in positive ways? Think about the purpose, and as you do, you can revitalize your determination to get there. Think about where you want to be this time next year. Wouldn’t it be better to have started and advanced little by little rather than to have quit completely?

Consider what happens when you are rowing a boat upstream. When you quit rowing, you don’t stay in the same place, do you? No, you float back. It’s the same way with our lives. When we stop reaching for those goals, we begin to float backwards. When you’ve failed to keep those resolutions, don't give up, keep rowing upstream!

LISTEN TO POSITIVE VOICES. Those voices can be the voices from within yourself, that is, your self talk. They can also be the voices of those around you. In either case, watch those voices. They can have a tremendous impact on whether or not you achieve your year’s goals.

Like it or not, we are influenced by those around us. If you surround yourself with a negative peer group, that group will have an impact on your attitude. And your attitude will make the difference in whether or not you reach those goals and aspirations. As the saying goes, you can’t fly with the eagles while scratching with the turkeys!

John Maxwell tells the story about the guy who was about to jump from a bridge. A police officer was called to the situation and very slowly, very carefully approached the man who had threatened to jump. The officer gets within inches of the man and says, “Surely things aren’t bad enough for you to jump from this bridge. Talk to me, I’ll listen to you.” The would-be jumper proceeds to tell how his wife has left him, his business has gone bankrupt, all his friends have deserted him, and everything has lost its meaning. For over thirty minutes he tells the officer the sad story—then they both jumped! 

The point is that negative words have an impact on our ability to achieve our goals. As much as you possibly can, listen to positive, encouraging words. You might help a friend by forwarding the daily quotes on this web site to them and telling them how they can listen to the daily radio message, “Success in a Minute.” I believe we can help others in their journey to achieve their goals. Go to our audio bookstore for resources on staying positive in life’s negative circumstances.

Make a Public Declaration. I make this suggestion with something of a disclaimer. Make sure you share your intentions to reach your goals with a positive reference group. Share your resolutions only with people who are “with you.” This will help you be accountable to someone who has your best intentions in mind. You don’t want to share your personal goals with someone who will give you 187 reasons why it can’t be done and certainly not by you of all people! Share your resolutions with those who will cheer you on and encourage you when you stumble.

In the 1976 Summer Olympics, Shun Fujimoto competed in the team gymnastics competition for Japan. His goal was of course, the gold medal. But Fujimoto broke his right knee in the floor exercise. That injury would not stop Fujimoto. He went ahead and competed in his strongest event, the rings. His routine was to end with a triple somersault twist. He was flawless, even as he landed on that broken right knee. In an interview afterwards, Fujimoto was asked about the pain. “The pain shot through me like a knife,” he said. “It brought tears to my eyes. But now I have a gold medal and the pain is gone.” 

When you are faced with setbacks and even defeats, keep going to the next event, like Fujimoto did. You can get back up, brush yourself off, and start again. And when the year is done, as painful as it might have been, you will have arrived a little farther along life’s way because you kept going. And that’s true success!