Out with 2009 and in with 2010. I never would have believed it when I was a teenager, but it is true, “the older you get, the faster time seems to go by.” If this is true, or even if it just seems to be true, why wouldn’t all of us want to live our lives with a greater sense of urgency?
After all, none of us will live forever, and all of us have no idea when our time on earth will come to an end. Why then, don’t we live our lives with a greater sense of purpose? Theother day, I overheard someone answering the standard New Year’s question, “Did you set any New Year’s resolutions?” This was the answer I overheard, “Oh, I don’t set resolutions any more…I always break them so why even set one?” I have heard this similar question and answer exchange at least a dozen times in the past week.
That answer sounds a little self-defeating to me. Now you may not be a “resolutions” person so to speak, but since when do Americans decide not to set goals because they fear failure?
I realize many resolutions revolve around weight loss, exercise, eating better, and the breaking of other various vices that we all face. Since when do we run away from a fight, challenge, or obstacle in our way? If it was a political debate between Democrats and Republicans, or liberals versus conservatives, we would all roll up our sleeves, battle it out, and tear each other to pieces.
Why then are we scared to set a resolution that actually betters ourselves, or larger yet, those around us? Americans need to quit running from everything, and start fighting for what they find most important. If our marriage is really important to us, then a possible resolution to set may be to improve upon that relationship. If our kids are really that important to us, then a possible resolution may center on our time commitment with our children.
A resolution isn’t broken because we fail or make a mistake at something once in a while. A resolution is broken when our actions don’t reflect that resolution in our lifestyle.
For instance, on June 16th of 2009, I wrote a column stating that I wanted to lose over 50 pounds by June of 2010. I have lost 30 pounds so far and have 22 left to go to reach my goal of 210 pounds. It was a “resolution” so to speak. There have been weeks since June where I have actually gained weight. Does that mean I broke the resolution? No, it means the path to success isn’t always easy, and I need to refocus my actions to get back on track!
Will I get to 210? I don’t know for sure, but I know that it is a goal that I am working toward. Will I be unsuccessful if I weigh 215 on June 16th of 2010? Would I have been more successful by not even setting a resolution?
Some of my resolutions for 2010 are going to include: weight loss, daily exercise, more personal reading time, helping others I don’t know, and being more patient with students at work.
So, maybe resolutions are not your bag of tea. Let’s call it goal-setting then. Let’s set a goal for 2010 and then work toward achieving it. I find that student-athletes who set goals and then work hard to achieve them, develop great self-esteem. You just can’t give someone selfesteem, we all must earn it somehow.
In the same breath, youth who fail a few times at something and don’t work toward accomplishing any defined goals, or are bailed out from having to do any work to accomplish their goals, oftentimes have poor self-esteem.
Think about the great sense of accomplishment you have had in the past, when you set your mind to something and then achieved it! Let 2010 be the year where you set a resolution and then get after it.
Mitch Dorr, a Cook County High
School Class of 1993 graduate, is
now a social studies teacher and
coach at his former alma mater.
Mitch coaches Vikings football
and boys’ basketball.
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