Many people this time of year are consumed by “New Year’s Resolutions." Since this is the topic of the day, why not take a look at some of the pitfalls surrounding our resolutions?  I just noticed on television where the second weekend in January (yes, that quick) is called Quit Friday. Meaning this is the usual time before we forget the resolutions we established before New Year’s Day.

“Plans are useless, but planning is essential,” Dwight D. Eisenhower, our 34th president from 1953 to 1964, said. Maybe, he had it right when looking at a new battle plan. Eisenhower, who was the supreme commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe during World War II, said he heard the quote while in the Army. The quote implies that the best-intentioned plans are often not worth the paper they are written on, as reality always wins when it contradicts a plan. However, the value of planning is in the process itself, which helps to gain understanding of the project, team and client. Planning also helps to establish a vision, goals and objectives, and provides context and directionality.

Could it be, we are too hard on ourselves? Are our resolutions too tight, which makes quick, certain failure inevitable? Consider this instead of that.

Consider developing an exercise routine to help our overall health, instead of having to be at the gym every day at 5.

Consider a running or walking program which will start on March 15, instead of beginning in the middle of winter and risk having a vehicle slide into you on the ice or breaking a bone from a slip. 

Consider reading a news service clip, instead of an entire book every day.

Consider setting ourselves up for success, instead of failure.

These suggestions might help us keep more of our resolutions:

Set realistic broad goals. Give ourselves time to complete them. Make ourselves stretch but gracefully.  Confide in a friend or family member to be responsible for accomplishments. Reward ourselves for success.

I will share one of my resolutions from last year which has been a success. I will not share the ones upon which I floundered. One of my goals at this time last year was to complete a year’s worth of articles for this column. Thanks to your support, this article is No. 53. Yes, you can clap. Happy New Year!

Standard contributor Don Alexander can be contacted at dalexander@southernstandard.com