So it’s the end of January and many people’s New Year resolutions have been broken and long forgotten. Some have wanted to quite smoking, cut down on drinking, or lose weight. All very noble gestures, and nothing wrong with them at all. Several years ago I tried a slightly different approach to making a New Year resolution.
I have to admit, I haven’t bothered with making resolutions since my teen years. Usually, I would vow to give up something that was easy to do, and didn’t impact on me. Or I would resolve to be a better person. It was lacking in detail and I would forget about it by the end of the second week in January. A few years ago I made a quiet pledge to myself. My New Year resolution was…. to make a difference to someone’s life!. Over the following weeks, I expanded my resolution to include making a difference to someone’s day. This resolution was different, that positive statement ‘to make a difference’ stayed with me, way passed the second week in January to the end of the year, and is still with me today.
Making a difference to someone’s life or day, was still something very easy to do because it need only involve a simple gesture, a friendly smile or assistance with opening a door or helping with a heavy bag. I would put more change than usual into the charity box, and was more generous with emergency appeals. Getting agitated with other drivers 5 minutes after jumping into my car was something I accepted for years. This would be a good resolution to make, and it turned out to be more difficult to change than I first thought! My agitation stills rears up at times, but I am definitely better than I used to be.
I tried to be more tolerant and understanding in relationships with my family and co-workers. Taking a mental deep breath and thinking before speaking out really did have a positive effect on others. That made me feel good and encouraged me to continue with my resolution.
Today, I share an internet business with my wife. We don’t just sell stuff, we enjoy helping people in their relationships by giving free advice in the form of newsletters, emails and reports.
My New Year resolution all those years ago, has become something that I naturally do without thinking. When helping others, no matter how small the gesture, has given me a buzz that continues to grow today. What I discovered for myself is not radical, so many people do much more than me. But it did change me, and I know, for the better.
I hope I have given some tips to inspire you. The magic thing about it is, you don’t have to put much effort into it. You get paid back so much more by improving your self respect, and knowing you are appreciated when you can make a difference to someone’s life. That’s a New Year solution you can keep. You never know, trying it may well change your life!
Do you have a new year resolution that’s working for you?
