Revolutions—and Revelations

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Years ago, in the car on New Year’s Day, driving from Cape Cod to Boston, a friend turned to me and said, “Beck, any good revolutions for the year?”  We laughed about her word substitution, but the truth is that I much prefer the idea of taking time at the start of the year to start revolutions than to make resolutions.  Let me explain.

For starters, revolutions are personal, unique.  Back when I made resolutions, they were things like, “Lose 10 pounds,” or “go to the gym 4 times a week.”  If shared with a colleague or friend, it was not uncommon to hear, “Me too.” People don’t say that about revolutions such as, “Live a healthier life,” or “Take ownership of my finances,” and though someone else might want that, the reason for it and the path there will be theirs alone, just as mine will be mine alone.

Resolutions can be chosen somewhat casually—not that they always are, but it’s possible.  Revolutions take some reflection—they require thinking about what is working and what isn’t working in my life.  They require that I look back on my experiences and decide what I want more of, what I need and want to commit to, and what I have to say no to.  This all helps me to invest in the bigger nature of my revolutions. For this reason alone, I take the pressure off to have my revolutions all set for January 1.  I like to give myself a deadline in January but it’s never the first.  

Revolutions are about what matters to me; resolutions often point to some obligation I feel—a should.  I could make a resolution to learn to play golf, but if I only do that because my boss plays golf and I think playing golf with him will help my career even though I have no interest in golfing, that isn’t likely to last because it doesn’t really matter to me.  If I decide my revolution is to develop a hobby like golf so that I can enjoy my leisure time and feel it’s more meaningful.  When I do what I want (as opposed to what I think I should do or feel like I have to do) that adds value to my life.

What, you already made some resolutions? Well, look them over and spend some time reflecting.  What really matters to you about saving that money? About joining the gym? About not biting your nails?  Take your resolutions and amp them up.   Be about owning your financial life, be about living healthy, be about reducing stress and anxiety.  At the end of 2013, be able to celebrate something more revolutionary than that your pants are a new size, or that your bank account is bigger, or your nails are longer even if they are!