It seems to be an unwritten rule among bloggers that the first blog of the new year should be devoted to addressing major issues and resolutions that can make you a better person and the world a better place. I’d like to offer a change of pace in that regard.
It is my belief that change comes in increments. Big resolutions can lead to major personal changes, but they tend to rarely be kept. Less dramatic changes, however, can also lead to improvements in self-confidence and earn more respect from others – and they have a much higher potential for success.
As the new year begins, I encourage you to think less about resolutions and dramatic change, and more about being present to those core values that lead to success – such as conscientiousness, integrity, caring, and being mindful. If you face your daily activities while maintaining positive core values, it can lead you to do many small things in a way that can lead to significant changes – involving you and those with whom you interact.
I’m talking about things like not letting your work space become unsightly with clutter, and letting an acquaintance know how much you enjoyed spending time with her, and not letting the dishes pile up in the sink, and asking an ill or elderly neighbor if you can shop for them, and returning something that you borrowed from a friend before he has to remind you, and making sure that you build some fun into your routine every day.
A good thing about committing to doing small things is that you’re pretty much guaranteed to fall short some of the time, and that’s not the same as failing to keep a resolution. Every tomorrow offers another chance to do something small.