Another Nudge

New Year Resolutions

Instead of being like everybody else about your new year’s resolutions why not think different and come up with something new, exciting, and somewhat challenging for 2015. The results we want are often the byproducts of who we are. What we chase is a consequence of our actions. Resolve to be more instead of simply doing more and see what kind of New Year you will have. Don’t you want a new year instead of another old year? Always remember no pain, no change and no gain. No struggle, no story. 

Here are a few ideas to get your juices flowing so you can come up with some fresh resolutions instead of the typical, lose weight, stop smoking, start exercising, etc. (you will get to these next year!!!).

1.      Read.  Read 15 minutes each day. Imagine you reading 12 great books in 2015 and putting one million words into your brain. What is easy to do; it is even easier not to do it.

2.      Apologize.  Apologize to every person you do wrong. Do it immediately and be sincere about it. Swallow the ego and just do it! It is uncomfortable and that is the point. Perhaps next time you will think twice about doing wrong onto others.

3.      Smile.  Greet everyone you meet with a smile. It takes less energy to smile than to frown. Be a good sport. Lighten up. Others may just want to hang around you. A great smile tells others you have a positive outlook on things.

4.      Laugh.  Laughter is the best stress reliever. Don’t be a fake, with a cheese laugh or plastic laugh. Learn how to laugh and laugh out loud to release any poison you may have built inside you.

5.      Respond.  You are free will to respond instead of reacting to your daily challenges. Always remember that between stimulus and response we have the freedom to choose. Choose your responses wisely after taking a deep breath of fresh air.

6.      Question.  Question yourself every time you are about to make a decision. Keep a long term perspective.  Learn how to ask great questions. Make your questions always bigger than your answers and eventually you will have great answers.

7.      Love.  Love is a decision and a choice. Resolve to love more. See the good in others instead of finding faults with them. Listen to their needs and help them. Be a friend and master the art of friendship.

Share your resolutions with those you trust. It helps you to be accountable and hold onto your new resolutions throughout the New Year.

Thank you for reading and reflecting on today’s nuggets. Please pass them on to others.     

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. Be a giver in a world of takers.

Be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Carlos Fontana, President of Phalanx

Co-author of the book Follow to Lead (The 7 Principles to Being a Great Follower)

Author of the book PRICELESS (Sixty-Six Simple Stories of Reflection, Love, and Legacy