As with every new year this one started with most people making resolutions. These usually have a lot to do with eating and exercise. People are motivated to improve their health in January so they join a gym. The problem with joining a gym is that you have to go to the gym and exercise while you are there to see any benefit. I have been a victim of the belief that having a gym membership is all that is needed to improve my health. The sad news is that I am not alone. According to Statistic Brain 67% percent of people with gym memberships never use them. For most New Year’s resolutions are made with the best of intentions but not necessarily with the highest level of commitment.
As a result I am not a big New Year’s resolution kind of person. Don’t get me wrong, I see the fresh start that a new year provides, but I am a firm believer that real change occurs over time. You can’t rush real change. If you want to lose 40 pounds in a year determine how you can lose 3/4 of a pound every week. That could work. Trying to lose 10 pounds a week between New Year’s Day and Valentine’s Day won’t.
As a family we want certain things to be true about who we are. We have spent some time determining what our identity is as a group. What do we want to be known for as a family? We have spent time working on our trajectory as well. Where are we going as a family? Those are two great questions to ask because they are necessary questions to ask. If you a) don’t know where you’re going and b) you don’t chart a course to get there I can guarantee that you won’t achieve your goals.
We want to be proactive and not reactive. Resolutions reek of things that need to be done better. But what if being better or doing better was just a part of our identity? We want to create an environment where success can be achieved not where failure is the most likely income.
We’ll keep you posted as we seek to use our gifts and resources to be the people and family that God wants us to be. Whoever said that self-analysis was a waste of time was just wrong. Here’s to a great 2013!
Ryan North is the Co-Founder of One Big Happy Home and creator of The Empowered Parent Podcast. He is a recognized expert on childhood trauma, a TBRI Practitioner, and develops training materials for parents, schools, churches, and child-placing agencies. Ryan is a sought-after speaker known for his engaging and practical approach to communicating complex issues clearly and relatable to a wide range of audiences.
hi That’s a nice post.