Today’s post is #TBT to 2013:

I’ve always secretly hated New Year’s resolutions. Why? Well, for starters, asking an overachiever to come up with a New Year’s resolution list is sort of like asking a NASA scientist to build a go-cart.

Lose weight.

Eat right.

Spend less.

Study the Bible more.

Read more.

Pray more.

Talk to family members more.

Send more notecards.

Remember birthdays.

Watch less TV.

Listen more. Talk less.

Get more sleep.

Drink less coffee.

Be more available.

(And now that my personality has totally changed…welcome, New Year.)

I gave up New Year’s resolutions years ago for several reasons:

1. It’s a big decision to make after Christmas. I’m still standing in the mall, trying to figure out how to spend my gift card. I’ll be doing good if I can decide which date to take down the Christmas tree.

2. If New Year’s is on a Sunday, there’s always the added pressure to make the resolution something spiritual. If the sermon is on gossiping, for example, you can guess what influence that will have on the resolutions of the congregation members. (Which makes it a great time for a tithing sermon.)

3. It’s hard to think about losing weight after a week of eating anything and everything. At this point, “return to my normal eating habits” sounds more realistic.

4. Resolutions have gotten complicated in 2017. Think you can just make up a resolution on the spot?  No sir. If you want to make a proper resolution, turn on The Today Show, or a business blog or talk show and they’ll be glad to help. These aren’t your mother’s New Year’s resolutions. They have to be measurable. They have to be specific. They have to be quantifiable. They have to be documented. They practically require their own hashtag.

And so, I hereby resolve not to make any resolutions this year. And anytime you can fulfill a resolution by not making a resolution you have entered the world of universe-bending paradoxes where you get to hang out with Christopher Lloyd. #Awesome.

Actually the real reason I don’t make New Year’s resolutions is this:

5. You don’t need a “new year” to change your life. If you want to change it on a Tuesday, change it.

Let the secret out and spread the word.

Permission all year long to make “resolutions.”

 

But…if you do make a resolution this year, make it a good one.

Welcome 2017.

Happy New Year!