‘Tis the season for New Year’s resolutions! I heard bestselling author Orrin Woodward say one time that, “All change begins with a hunger to change.” For the past month all of us have begun putting our resolutions to the test so we can make 2009 the best year yet. It is now February 11th and by this time people have fallen into three categories:
1. “Right on Schedule”
2. “Up and Down”
3. “Don’t ask”!
Are you passing the test? No matter which category you reside in we still have 11 months to make this year the best ever! If you are struggling on your journey or if you completely fallen off the tracks it is time to adjust your perspective, stop spinning your tires, and get back on your track. This is your year!
John Maxwell said, “You will not change your life until you change something you do on a daily basis.” That quote was very profound in my life because it allowed me to focus on what the gift of today represents; not tomorrow, not a week from today, not a year from now, but TODAY! The phrase “New Year’s resolution”, in my mind sets too many people up for disappointments in the attainment of their goals because it puts the emphasis on the word YEAR. I am sure you all remember the old saying that says, "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time." In the spirit of that saying, I say we change the slogan to “New Day’s resolution!” Why? Because if you don’t take care of today, it doesn’t matter what you ultimately want to accomplish later this year. Too many people focus their efforts on the word year, instead of the very things that make up a year: 365 DAYS!
Think back to a year that might not have been your greatest. I know I have had plenty! You see, your or my bad year didn’t just show up on December 31st, it was the compounding effect of not staying disciplined on the previous 364 days. Neglecting too many days leads to a regretful year! It sounds simple, but to turn the tide it takes discipline and hunger.
Orrin Woodward said, “I would rather teach a hungry person how to be sharp, than a sharp person how to be hungry.” That quote has been critically important to me on my leadership journey because hunger is what has pulled me through many tough times. It has been said that “the bookends of success are starting and finishing.” The fuel in the middle of those bookends is what allows a person to finish. Motivation gets you started, but hunger pulls you through to the end! All of us have the motivation to make 2009 our best year ever, but very few people will follow through on the motivation. Why does this happen? Because too many people don’t apply hunger to their daily agenda.
How to make 2009 your best year?
1.Start with today! – Legendary coach John Wooden said, “Make each day your masterpiece.” A yearly puzzle is comprised of 365 Daily Masterpieces. When you lose a puzzle piece you can’t complete the puzzle.
2.Formulate daily disciplines that support your year-end desired result - For example, many people have weight loss goals. If you want to lose weight then what do you have to do today that will assist with that goal? Probably working out, watching what you eat, get a training partner…etc. Those are daily actions to implement so you can have the desired result of weight loss.
3.Get momentum on your side – each day you conquer creates a momentum that gets carried over into the next day. Doing anything new will seem weird at first. However, overtime the awkwardness will fade and conquering the next day will prove to get easier and easier because you have momentum on your side.
4.Don’t look at tomorrow – You have already identified your goals for the year and now it is time to focus on today and give it all you got. Your tomorrows will get better when you have taken care of enough todays.
Create a hunger for growth and daily results so your 2009 will be your best year. Remember that motivation gets you started, but hunger pulls you through. You can have all the talent in the world, but unless you have hunger it won’t matter what goals you have set for yourself. Hunger will always beat talent, when talent doesn’t possess hunger. Make it a great year!!
God Bless,
Matt Franks
