{"id":32088,"date":"2024-12-31T14:52:06","date_gmt":"2024-12-31T19:52:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mentordiscoverinspire.org\/?p=32088"},"modified":"2025-01-01T13:32:08","modified_gmt":"2025-01-01T18:32:08","slug":"its-time-to-retire-resolutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mentordiscoverinspire.org\/its-time-to-retire-resolutions\/","title":{"rendered":"It\u2019s Time to Retire Resolutions!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Matthew “Biz” Biswas In early January of 2024, I made a list of things to accomplish. That list included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Surprise, I didn\u2019t achieve them all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lots did <\/strong>happen in 2024 and I\u2019m very grateful. I did put a dent in my 2024 resolutions and many men have congratulated me on my achievements. But I don\u2019t want to be in the same situation again next year. I know I\u2019m not alone. Every week I meet with men who year after year have the same goals and objectives with very little progress. These men vow to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n My feeling is these men will start 2025 with the same goals and end 2025 with almost no progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a range of emotions and experiences that prevent us from achieving our resolutions. For me, it\u2019s particularly perfectionism and unreal expectations. What is it for you? Fear of failure\/success, comfort in the now, the need for approval? The list goes on and on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve read this far, you probably aren’t willing to let 2025 unfold versus stepping up and making real changes this year. Right? So go ahead and make your list of 2025 resolutions. But do it differently this year. Ditch the grand gestures \u2013 commit to levelling up<\/strong>. What does that mean? In all the areas of your life where you want to see improvement focus on moving up a level \u2013 not hitting some big number. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This goes against the typical SMART goal (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, Trackable) that many of us have been chasing. Let\u2019s face it: It hasn\u2019t worked perfectly so far. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So how are you going to level up? Here are some ideas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In August I had the good fortune to visit old friends at their cottage. I hadn\u2019t spent this kind of time with them in decades. While I was in the lap of their luxury enjoying their financial success, I asked myself \u2013 what does he do that I don\u2019t? One answer was – he doesn’t spend a single minute a day on social media. From that weekend on, I dumped my daily 30 to 60-minute TikTok habit. I eliminated something from my life that was a distraction. I now have extra time daily to read, write, exercise, network, drive projects forward, etc. that I was wasting before. It took just being around someone who I admired to do that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This fall, I was invited to an exclusive event for business owners. It was amazing to be surrounded by hundreds of successful people. They dressed better, spoke better, and were knowledgeable and informed. It has encouraged me to find a similar group of people.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n So back up from the people around you who aren\u2019t moving forward. Their lack of progress is pulling you back. Make sure you are around the people who are living the kind of life you want to live. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hearing how people achieve their goals will encourage us to level up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Arnold Schwarzenegger three-part bio on Netflix is a must-watch. Arnold grew up in Austria in the shadow of World War II. His father\u2019s wartime trauma resonated throughout the family. Arnold didn\u2019t let that stop him from becoming one of the most accomplished people in the past century. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The podcast “We Regret To Inform You” has over 100 stories of actors, businesspeople, inventors etc. who met with success after years of rejection and failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most powerful tools in your arsenal to level up your 2025 performance is your library card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Look for opportunities to blend your goal achievement with your day-to-day life. You will be amazed at the progress you can make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This past year, when traffic in Toronto was at its worst, I chose to use my bicycle as a primary source of transportation to visit family, go on dates, attend events, etc. As a result, I doubled my exercise goals during the good weather, saved time and aggravation versus sitting in the car, discovered new neighbourhoods and kept money in my pocket versus giving it to the gas stations and parking lots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of these \u201ccombo units\u201d are easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the next 365 days, many curve balls will be thrown at you. If you stay too rigid to the plan you make in January you will miss opportunities to meet and exceed your goals. In the book “Atomic Habits,” James Clear says many times it\u2019s OK to skip one day \u2013 but not two. So, if you are under the weather, away at a conference, or family duties take your eye off the ball – practice self-compassion and make sure you get right back on track to levelling up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n By retiring the outdated tradition of New Year resolutions, you can adopt more sustainable and enjoyable ways to grow. Focus on levelling up and you can create meaningful, lasting change – not just for a year, but for a lifetime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MDI Contributor <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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Surround Yourself With The Right People<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Consume Inspirational Stories<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Make It A Combo<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Final Words – Think Big, Start Small and Move Quickly<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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