I know that most of us are still slogging our way towards December 25. Which means we probably haven’t given very much thought to January 1, and the New Year’s Resolutions that usually go along with it.
But I think it’s a good idea to start thinking about 2010 right now. I think it’s a good idea to spend some time reflecting on everything we did right in 2009, and what dreams and goals we want to accomplish in the upcoming year.
Why? Well, I think this quote sums it up pretty well:
“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.” – Theodore Roosevelt
Wow. I can’t read that quote, ever, without getting chills.
To me, that quote sums up what life is about. It’s the struggle for great things, a pure heart, a lofty goal that makes life worth living. Without these things, life begins to resemble the slow, turbid stillness at the bottom of a pond. And as Roosevelt said, it’s a life of gray twilight.
Many people would far rather “stick with the devil they know” then risk confronting one they don’t. Which is why so many people don’t ever take steps to accomplish a dream. Maybe they’re afraid of failure, or being humiliated, or being let down. Maybe they’re afraid of falling on their face and getting laughed at.
As someone who’s done her own fair share of falling flat on her face in pursuit of a dream, I can tell you that I’ve learned far more from my mistakes than I ever have from my successes. It’s the stumbles and falls that taught me how to live and thrive. And it was getting back up that showed me how strong I could be.
Besides, what are we here for if not to pursue our dreams and help each other? I’ve gone over and over it for years, and that’s the only answer that makes sense to me. When we lift ourselves up, we have the strength and power to lift up others right along with us. And slowly, inch by inch, the world becomes a better place.
So, that’s the long explanation of why I think it’s worth it to start thinking about 2010 right now, instead of making a quickie list of goals at 11:55 p.m. on December 31, when your neighbor asks you what your New Year’s Resolutions are.
Give it some thought over the next week or two. What do you really want to do next year? What would make your heart soar with delight if you accomplished it?
Think of 5 or 10 things you’d really love to do, and write them down. Studies have shown when you write down your goals, you’re far more likely to accomplish them. So, set them pen to paper! Need some help? Check out Zen Habits excellent article, The Short But Powerful Guide to Finding Your Passion.
Again, I know we’re still a few weeks away from the auspicious countdown to 2010. But spending some time deciding what we’d like to do and how we’d like to live in 2010 could change our lives more than we could ever imagine. All it takes is a single step to get started.
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Just what I needed to read this morning. I IMMEDIATELY grabbed a piece of paper and listed three things off the top of by head. Will ponder more for my list, but the first three are big! Thanks for the “kick in the pants”.
Mikela,
Awesome! I’ve been thinking about my own list for next year, and I keep adding and refining as I go. It’s so exciting to think about! 🙂
Great post! I’ve been participating in Gwen Bell’s Best of 2009 Blog Challenge. It’s been a great way to do my year-in-review and meet some amazing peeps in the process. I’ve also started listing out my big to-do items for 2010. It’s going to be a great year in Portland. 🙂
Thanks for the great post!
Fantastic quote from Roosevelt! I’ve been jotting down ideas for my 2010 goals over the past few weeks and have decided on making a list of one thing to accomplish each month. Some are fun, some are practical, some are building on things I started in 2009 and some are goals I didn’t accomplish in 2009.
I definitely agree that writing down goals/resolutions/whatever you want to call them is best. By the middle of January, it’s easy to forget something you said on Dec. 31 after a few glasses of champagne. Writing them down makes me check in on them occasionally and keeps more motivated.
@Tammy- I haven’t heard of that challenge, but I’m definitely going to look it up! Thanks!
@Allison- That quote is one of my favorites. I’m making a list myself. Have you ever created a vision board? I made one a few months ago, and it’s sitting right on my desk. A vision board is simply a collage of pictures that represent things you want to do or accomplish. It’s really help keep me focused.
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