Insight #287:
Let me tell you what’s wrong with our annual ritual of making resolutions that don’t stick.
At the finish of a year, we look back and evaluate all the good and bad which the past 360 odd days coughed up. Then, according to tradition, we read up on eight steps to fame and fortune, which we adopt to craft our new resolutions for results, our strategies for success, in the coming year.
Well, I no longer do that. Instead, I develop my formula for failure.
Here’s why. We know resolutions don’t stick. And why don’t they? Because resolutions are about behaving better, which on this planet is never easy. Thus, by implication, resolutions to behave badly will stick more easily.
Thus, if I resolve to behave badly, I will succeed.
What if you are uncomfortable with even just the idea of behaving badly? Then remember this. You are the one who defines what badly means to you!
Here’s an example of how my way works. Let’s assume you want to stick to your resolution to, finally, use your gym membership. Don’t say, “I resolve to go to the gym at least four times a week.” You know that resolution won’t stick. Instead, say, “I resolve never to go to the gym.” Because…. Yes, you get it. Because that resolution will not stick either!
You will fail. And thus succeed.
Get it? It’s all in the psychology. Your resolution to behave badly (not go to the gym) will make you go to the gym. Because you cannot help but break your resolution to not go to the gym. Once again, lucky for you, your resolution will not stick.
If you struggled to stick with me, because this nonsense made little sense to you, then simple resolve not to understand it. And you will.
Welcome to my side of the nonsense divide.
. . .