062: Frustrated by the Resolution Ritual? Fix Your Focus Instead

Did you ever wonder why you set New Year goals or resolutions and come February (or sooner) you're back to square one?

Old habits die hard, am I right?

But new habits or at least the desire to change up some things in your life should at least provide some useful motivation.

I tapped-out on the whole new years resolution deal a few years ago.

Aging has heightened my awareness that a renewed focus is a far more productive annual ritual.

As the calendar turns to a New Year I choose to focus on some compelling big ideas instead.

And it helps to have this space each week to explore some of those ideas.

I think. I write. I focus. And hopefully...I change (and grow).

I hope the same for you.

Fix your focus and you're more likely to achieve the results you want

A gift of age is the ability to draw from a well of experience relative to your successes and failures.

Things come into focus for me around writing and exploring fresh ideas.

It's been useful for me to leverage the first letters of certain words into an acrostic that creates an area of focus.

• A.C.T.I.O.N.
• R.E.S.I.L.I.E.N.C.E.
• T.I.M.E.

As I write this it's the first week of 2025.

And appropriately there are 20 letters in those previous three words that form the foundation of our PGL (Personal Growth and Longevity) mindset.

Instead of the resolution ritual why not fix your focus on 20 big ideas in 2025?

A.C.T.I.O.N focus

A-ttitude

Your attitude sets the tone for your growth and longevity journey as you age. Focus on greater awareness about the attitude you bring to your circumstances and conditions each day.

C-ourage

Courage isn't the absence of fear. Rather, it's the way you respond to what's causing your fear. Focus on your strengths and capabilities and refuse to cower.

T-enacity

You have the right of refusual when facing something potentially overwhelming or uncomfortable. Focus on refusing to give up or give in and be more tenacious when necessary.

I-ntention

Passivity is the enemy of growth and longevity. Focus on being more intentional about your goals, your health, your relationships, etc.

O-pportnity

Life will pass you by if you choose to be a spectator. Focus on seizing the opportunities that come your way - financially, creatively, and relationally.

N-o

If you're tired and exhausted you might want to evaluate how often you're saying "yes." Focus on saying "no" more often (it's really okay to do so).

R.E.S.I.L.I.E.N.C.E focus

R-eflection

Life instructs you when you take time to reflect. Focus on pausing for reflection about your experiences.

E-nergy

Your personal strength and motivation are by-products of your energy. Focus on building your energy reserves through time in nature or being off-the-grid, nurturing your relationships, and noticing when you're feeling drained.

S-low

Slowing down or slowing-your-roll enables you to catch your breath. Focus on slowing your pace on occasion.

I-ntuition

Age and experience will sharpen your intuition. Focus on listening more intuitively to your life and your surroundings.

L-everage

Aging can be a use it or lose it experience. Focus on leveraging your capabilities so they don't atrophy.

I-ntentionality

Aging happens to you but you can also get ahead of it. Focus on being more intentional about your health, wellness, creativity, and contribution.

E-ffort

"...an 'A' for effort," so the saying goes. Focus on getting more "A's" than "B's" this year in your effort (and remember a little - effort, that is, goes a long way).

N-ourishment

How nourishing is your physical, mental, and emotional diet? Focus on more fulfilling and healthy sources of nourishment.

C-larity

Mental fog can get the best of you. Focus on keepng you mind clear from mental clutter (start wiith media consumption).

E-xperience

You've accumulated an amount of experiences. Focus on your personal scope of experience to cope with the challenges you face as you age - you've earned it.

T.I.M.E focus

T-emperament

Keep tabs on how you respond to life's interruptions. Focus on maintaining a steady temperament.

I-ncrements

Moments come and go. Focus on maximizing those incremental periods of time througout your days to do something meaningful.

M-indfulness

Be present as opportunity and interactions present. Focus on the moment you're in and live in real-time.

E-xpectations

Set yourself up for success. Focus on solutions not excuses as you age.

Choose to focus on a few of these ideas throughout the year - I believe you'll find it more fulfilling than being frustrated by failed resolutions

• Take action
• Gain resilience
• Maximize time

Press on...

Eddie