It’s now the middle of January, which begs the question, are you sticking to your new year’s resolution? For many, a new year means big promises to take significant steps to make big changes. This will be the year. This will be your year. Typically, as soon as the festivities are over, New Year’s resolutions become faint memories. Why bother to set goals if we will forget them halfway through the year?
In this post, we will discuss the following about setting goals:
“New Year’s resolutions are a tricky business,” says Psychology Today. “They are obligations we put on our future selves to behave. You probably don’t like people telling you what to do. You probably especially don’t want to hear from that young immature version of yourself who did such a bad job with last year’s resolutions.”
Let’s put an end to this and find a new way. Resolutions are a subtype of goal and are no different from others you set for yourself. The only difference is that you declare them at the beginning of the year. We all have our reasons for setting them; here are some examples:
One of the most critical functions of the brain is said to be an executive function. This is a cluster of cognitive abilities that evolved to enable us to set and achieve goals. Most other creatures react based on instinct; humans take action based on planning.
They provide you with a vision, a direction, and give you a destination. Without goals, you risk wasting your resources, feeling confused and overwhelmed. You also run the risk of being unprepared when opportunities arise.
From ordinary things like getting up for work in the morning to once-in-a-lifetime dreams, things get done when we treat them like goals that need to be accomplished.
Goals drive advances in science, education, medicine, public policy, law, and government. Progress in all these fields happens when people set, pursue, and achieve goals. This helps to avoid confusion, which can delay progress.
Goals help to keep people connected. The success of a group depends on how much its members believe in a common goal.
Studies say that purpose is the deeper reason for why we want to accomplish a goal. Behind the stated goal is our desire to do something to improve our lives and the lives of others. Studies suggest that purpose is both what motivates us and moves us to take action.
As neuroscientists learn more and more about the brain’s emotional circuits, they are discovering that one of our most basic emotional reactions is happiness through pursuit.
According to Psychology Today, “From now on, all you need is one resolution … scientifically proven to make you a better person and to help you achieve. That resolution is this: Make lists of your goals. Write down what you need to do to achieve each one, in as much detail as you can (what, where, and when). And do this everyday, or as often as you can.”
“The science behind this is called implementation intentions. It is behind books like ‘Eat the Frog’ and ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People.’ It is probably the only habit worth worrying about, because it encompasses all the others.”
Instead of making light of a tradition like new year’s resolutions, let’s put our heads together to think of more reasons to keep it alive. Do you think we need resolutions? Follow CanScribe on Instagram and share your thoughts!
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Robert was born in Midland, Ontario on January 11, 1953 and passed away in Nanaimo on November 20, 2009. Robert was the youngest of three. I was the oldest, Doug was the middle child. Our mother and father were divorced when we were very young. Our mother remarried a man who had three sons and then another girl and another boy was born. So there was eight of us altogether. Robert moved to Toronto, Ontario after high school and worked in various jobs there. He then moved to Edmonton, Alberta in 1976 and on to British Columbia in 1977. He lived in Vancouver, Victoria, and finally resided in Nanaimo. Robert had a great sense of determination and optimism. The more he could learn, the happier he was. He continued his education in B.C. at Simon Fraser University. He also took courses in the culinary field and worked as a chef for many years. He also studied law and worked as a paralegal. He studied religions and languages (he could speak many languages) and took many computer courses. He took a Medical Terminology Course, and Emergency First Aid which included CPR.
Unfortunately, Robert's health was never great. He was born a "Blue Baby" and not expected to live. He lived with the HIV virus and with cancer. This was a big factor in his determination to be able to work at home and was why he was taking the Medical Transcription course. Robert was involved with various charitable organizations for many, many years. He cooked numerous meals at food kitchens for the homeless, especially at Christmas and other holidays. He spent time at various senior centers, volunteering, and visiting the residents there. He was an active volunteer at the Nanaimo Parole Citizen Advisory Committee and one of the outstanding jobs he completed for them was their Committee By-laws.
I am very proud of the things that my brother achieved in his lifetime. I have received so many letters, calls and cards since his passing, all of them telling me how much he was liked and how much he will be missed. Robert spent most of his time helping others. I'm attaching a couple of pictures, one when he was very young. If there is any other information you need, please let me know. Thank you again for setting up this scholarship. It means so much to me that his name will carry on. And I know he would be extremely pleased that his name was helping others. That was his number one goal in his life - to help others.
By submitting this form, you are giving your express written consent for CanScribe Career College to contact you regarding our programs via email, telephone, and/or text. You may withdraw your consent at any time.