Happy New Year Growth!

Published by Angela | Filed under Personalities

I don’t do New Year’s Resolutions – the philosophy isn’t growth minded and I don’t like defeat. 

Most of us make sweeping resolutions to change our lives around and become different in some area. We set ourselves up for failure. It may be a difference that doesn’t fit our temperament or growth bent – like me getting as organized as my husband; it’ll never happen.  He is organized in every aspect of his life from the moment he awakens till he sleeps, and he is probably subconsciously organizing in his sleep. 

The Purposeful Choleric part of me organizes as I go and has to keep lists to keep me on track.  But the Playful Sanguine’s need for flexibility, fun, socializing and spontaneous activity gets me off track on a consistent basis.  Woe is me, who shall deliver me from this dilemma; certainly not a resolution that can be broken without a bat of the eye.   

Organization is not my strength.  Rather than make a resolution to get organized; I evaluate where I am in my growth towards becoming more organized.  What new process or gadget could I buy that would help keep me organized?  What book could I read to motivate me toward better organization?  Last year I read a great book which gave me some practical and easy information for organizing my office.  I took a few days to go through every area of my office to declutter and organize files, drawers and closet.  I made new files on my computer and in my desk to clear clutter from my desk. I bought a label maker so I had no excuse for not making instant file folders.  I had a box of file folders ready and waiting.  I created a “turtle” for work to be done and a “runway” on my desk for incoming papers.   I kept it relatively clear for five months until chaos hit in my schedule.  I didn’t feel like I had failed because I didn’t make a resolution to keep my desk clear.  My goal was to gain some new knowledge and skills toward organization and I still have those. Now this year in order to grow do I add more skills and gadgets or do I just practice those skills more consistently?  I think I need some more practice but I’ll have to make it a competition to keep me focused.

Trying to make 180 degree changes in our lives is like a tree adding fifty years of growth in one — it just isn’t going to happen.  A tree doesn’t become twenty inches in circumference within a year or two.  It adds one ring a year in growth.  A mighty Oak doesn’t produce acorns for twenty years but every day of every year before that it is productive.  An apple tree doesn’t produce acorns but apples.  So don’t expect yourself to change drastically in ways that you just aren’t meant to grow.  Maybe you need to take some time to determine who you are, what are the themes of your life, where are you going and what are the next steps to getting you there – not the final destination this year.  Add some new information and skills and then practice, practice, practice.  Don’t set yourself up for failure but success and growth. Maybe a few degrees of change are better than none.   Happy New Year – happy growing.