Take 30 seconds and check out this pretty funny, but really NSFW (language) clip from the film Office Space.
This scene has been rattling around in my brain for a few weeks. At a time when I should be making resolutions for the new year, am I focusing on the right things, the right way?
Do I want to lose weight? Sure. Do I want to spend more time with family and friends? Of course. Do I want to learn some new skills? Absolutely! Do I need a million dollars to do those? Does a new year make it easier? Is there really any good reason why I didn’t do them last year?
If my goal was to sit around all day, what would that look like? Wake up, “I should go to work….but that means I can’t sit around all day.” I skip work. “I should go work out, got that Trifecta coming up! Er…no, this chair reclines.” I make these choices as they come…will this next decision help me or hinder me with my goal?
I already have my goals. Spartan Trifecta, get my app built and published and do more boardgaming. Do I need to resolve to accomplish them? No! I need only to make them a priority over the gazillion things I let distract myself.
In a way, all I’m doing is giving myself permission to enjoy the benefits of the life I’ve worked for; College, 20 years with the same company, my beautiful wife and 2 equally beautiful daughters and our dream home. I can game with them, go for runs with them and test my app on them. I don’t need ANYTHING special…I just need to get off my duff and accomplish the things I want. It’s that simple.
So, ditch the mental clutter and write down a couple of goals for 2016. Maybe put them on post it notes through your home, workspace, etc where you’ll see them and be reminded of them. Don’t resolve to do anything but make choices that get you closer to them. Focus on the right things….the real goals and day to day, hour to hour, make good decisions.