Resolutions and Insanity

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. ~ Albert Einstein

We’re nine days into the New Year. How are your resolutions coming along?

Okay, let’s be honest.

Some possible answers to this question are: 1) “What resolutions?”, 2) “Are you kidding me? I’ve already gained two pounds instead of losing weight!”, or 3) “I’m right on track.”

Now, if your answer is exactly or similar to number 3, you’re right on track – and you probably achieved all your 2013 goals. I’m not talking to you. I’m talking to the rest of us.

This is the time of year when a lot of us reflect on the past and look to the future… when there’s a momentary burst of inspiration and we’re clear that this year everything will be different. On the other hand, for some of us without the motivation burst, all that’s present is resignation – seeing no hope that things will ever change.

Well, no matter what your 2014 goals are – to lose the 15 lbs that’s been hanging around, to make more money, or just to have more fun – if you want your life to be different, there’s a very simple solution to achieve that: Quit being insane!

I couldn’t agree more with Einstein’s immortal take on insanity. Nothing will change if you keep doing the same thing over and over but expect a different outcome each time, right? If you want your life to be different, I don’t believe you need to make all these big resolutions that set you up for failure. Just do something different. Anything! As long as it’s different from what you’ve done so far. For sure it needs to be related to what you want to change. But then again, we all know that most things are interconnected: if you eat better, you feel better; if you work hard, you can play hard too.

Some areas of your life you could look at to decide what to change are the people you surround yourself with, the places you go, and the activities you do. Any change you make in these areas will trigger further change. I believe the most powerful resolution you can make is to look at the people around you. The saying “You are the company you keep” is entirely true. If you observe the people you spend most of your time with, you’ll notice you are similar to them.

Jim Rohn said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” This is spot on with income, but it also rings true in other aspects of our lives, such as exercise, diet, and happiness.

So what does all this mean for those of us who either didn’t make resolutions or can’t keep them? Let’s try a new approach this year. Instead of focusing on resolutions, initiate a new tribe member! Find someone you can look up to and aspire to emulate. Then, by paying attention to what they do and what they say, witness how your life changes and how you become a little less ‘insane’.