Now that Christmas is gone by, we are focusing on the New Year and what it will bring along with it. Some are planning on turning their lives around; others want to change for either the better or worse! As we talk, the Diaspoman has just “seen the light” (got saved) and I hope he will resist all temptations from Aggrey so that he wins himself a cool 100K. That is the Diaspoman’s New Year Resolution! What is a new year’s resolution anyway? A New Year’s Resolution is generally a goal someone sets out to accomplish in the coming year. Some examples include resolutions to donate to the poor more often, to become more assertive, or to become more environmentally responsible. A key element to a New Year’s Resolution that sets it apart from other resolutions is that it is made in anticipation of the New Year, and new beginnings. New Year’s Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It’s a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. Recent studies show that many people vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends in the coming year; they make plans to meet up with friends for an evening of merry making at a favourite restaurant or take the family to one of the most popular places more often. After all, work shouldn’t always come first, when you lose that job or cannot work anymore; it is the family that will be there for you! If you have resolved to make this the year that you stamp out one or the other of your habits, e.g. smoking, even if you’ve tried to quit before and failed, don’t let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good. Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life! It is not a break and die scenario! You may make a resolution but fail to go through with it; it is better to try and fail than not trying at all! It is the act of trying that gives you the initiative to try another time! What is for sure, avoid setting resolutions that you yourself know that, you have no means or power to achieve. Resolutions are like goals, you don’t set them too high lest you miss them! As I was saying, missing a goal does not stop you from trying to score another! On my part, I have made many resolutions. Thank God, I have been able to achieve some and have failed in others but that has not bogged me down.It is the lesson orexperience that keeps one on top of everything. I once was a smoker and at one time, I resolved to stop smoking!Initially, I stopped for nearly six months and at one time, while at a wedding function, I was seated with some smokers that, the smell of tobacco was so tempting to the extent that, I resumed the smoking. Nearly a year down the road, I tried to stop three times but failed. At the end of the year, I decided to give it a try again, this time round, I knew where my weaknesses lay; I was able to resist the urge to smoke by avoiding the tobacco. I am proud to say that, for nearly two decades, tobacco has been out of my “diet” , save for passive smoking! In conclusion, recent research shows that while 52% of participants in a resolution study were confident of success with their goals, only 12% actually achieved their goals. The desire of improving, the commitment to outperform is somehow inherent to the human being. However, most of these resolutions fail. Making a resolution is not enough, you need to structure a work plan to be successful and define the resolutions with a well thought methodology. Kindly allow me to Wish you all a Happy and Very Prosperous New Year 2012, may all your Dreams become a reality – Amen! mfashumwana@fastmail.fm
