Goals versus Resolutions

New Year's day 2003 has come and gone and New Year's day 2004 is fast approaching. Along with these days comes that time honored tradition of making resolutions. Are you planning on making any New Year's Resolutions this year? Have you made New Year's Resolutions in the past? Did you keep those resolutions? If, Yes, what made you keep them? If, No, what kept you from keeping your resolutions? Have you set goals in the past? Did you achieve those goals? What did you do that led to your achieving or not achieving those goals? Is there a difference between setting a goal and making a resolution? And if there is, what is the difference? Think about this, ninety-seven of the people in our society DO NOT HAVE GOALS? Two percent of people in our society will retire and have the means to support themselves through retirement and one percent will retire financially independent or wealthy. What is the difference between the three percent and the ninety-seven percent? Three percent made resolutions, ninety seven percent didn't. But so what! Well let's take a look at what a goal is, by definition. A goal is an aim or an objective. Well, we all need objectives in life for which we are aiming, now don't we? But only in that we need to have a target for which to shoot. To aim: to intend or try to do or at doing something and an objective: a thing one is trying to achieve, reach or capture are both necessary, but they are of little use if one has only intentions or is but trying, and not actually shooting at the target. This in fact, is where the real problem lie. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the majority of people have good intentions, but fail, to be resolved, which unfortunately undermines their objective. All the good intentions in the world won't result in the accomplishment of anything. Likewise, a goal in and of itself, is actually not worth the paper it MUST be written on. However, let's take a look at the setting of a resolution. When a resolution is made, by definition the individual has made - A mental pledge. They are demonstrating - The quality of not allowing difficulties or opposition to affect their purpose. But you say, many people set New Year's Resolutions each and every New Year. My question is did they really set a resolution? Were they ready, willing and able to exercise the quality of not allowing difficulties, oppression, or risk to affect their purpose or were they simply stating intentions to try. The very word try, in and of itself allows for missing the mark, but they tried. Bah Humbug! But then you will hear individuals say, well I don't know if it can be done, so all I can do is try. Bah Humbug, again! In order to make a resolution, it must possess certain qualities. First, it must be achievable or realistic otherwise it is just a goal. So, if you know going in it is achievable, there is no try to it, there is just do it! We must learn to tell ourselves only the truth. Think of a resolution as a promise and each time you give up on a resolution or let it go by the way, as having lied to yourself. How do you feel when others lie to you? So, why lie to yourself. It's pretty bad, when you can't even trust yourself! For this reason, before making any resolution(s) we must ask ourselves; Do I really want to do this? What am I willing to give up to achieve this? Is the cost worth the price? Am I resolute in its accomplishment? If not, then don't make a promise you are not willing or able to keep. To do so is only to make withdrawals from one's own personal integrity account. Which eventually becomes bankrupt making it all the more difficult to find the target let alone take aim and fire!