Wishes or Resolutions?


It's that time of year again—a time when you hear a lot about how people want the new year to 
be.  They may want it to be a time when they lose extra pounds or get a new job.  A year of 
spending more time with the family or saving more money.  Perhaps a time to abandon some 
vices—smoking or drinking or cheating.  

Most call them "New Year's Resolutions."  Too often they are more "New Year's Wishes" than 
"New Year's Resolutions."  I say that because, while they may be goals that are yearned for, the 
action often stops with yearning.  To "resolve" is defined by Webster as "to make a firm decision 
about."  A FIRM decision—not just a fleeting thought or passing fancy.  A firm decision is one 
created by strong feelings and serious intentions.  A firm decision has a natural outflow of 
proactivity.

Unlike the word "resolve," "proactivity" isn't found in most dictionaries.  It is fairly common in 
both language and practice in business management circles.  It is common because successful 
businesses know the necessity of it.  Businesses thrive on management being ahead of the 
game.  Those who succeed do so by predicting trends and needs, then responding by setting 
goals and taking steps to achieve those goals.  Many businesses that fail do so when they 
simply continue to exist in past patterns, making no plans nor taking any action to stay current, 
much less plan ahead.  Those that fail may bemoan their decline, but often make no FIRM 
DECISIONS nor take any PROACTIVE steps to prevent the decline; or perhaps not even 
proactive enough to ask WHY.

Do you want this year to be different?  If you say you do, I'd like to suggest three simple steps:

First, examine yourself—and do it honestly—see if your resolutions are a passing fancy or a firm 
decision. How serious are you?  Wishing is passive, while a firm decision is followed by 
proactivity.

If you're serious about change, a good beginning place is to ask "why" things are as they are.  
Only by analyzing how you got where you are, can you change direction.  Are the extra pounds 
because of bedtime cookies and milk or fast food lunches or lack or exercise?  Is the behavior 
of your children a reaction to some unwise parenting style?  Do you not have a new job because 
you haven't equipped yourself with essential skills or perhaps because of an attitude problem?

Lastly, make proactivity a priority in your life.  Proactivity means more than merely taking 
initiative.  It means that YOU are responsible for YOUR life.  What you do and what you are and 
what you become are within your decision and your proactivity.  Your spouse, your family, your 
boss, or the church leadership can accept neither the credit nor the blame.  Oh yes, they can 
contribute but ultimately it's all in your lap. 

You are responsible for your life.  That's a powerful recognition.  Let it bless you this year.

Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, 
without comparing himself to somebody else, 
for each one should carry his own load.

Galatians 6:4-5