The new year is here. The time is ripe for me to make resolutions, as customary every year. From the first day of 2023, I will be transformed unrecognizably into a new person.

Unlike many, I don’t have to spend time preparing the list of resolutions. I still have the list from 2022. Actually, it is from 2021—or is it 2020? It is easy enough to find out, I only need to check the date of the Google Sheet. This is why you should create your resolution list in the cloud. I knew I could reuse it for the coming year.

Why you ask, do I keep the list of resolutions? Because the unrecognizable new perfect guy dies after a couple of days and the familiar old imperfect guy resurrects. I usually forget my resolutions by the end of the first week.

But I never give up. I would keep the list for the next year, to become a better person in the coming year or the year after. But why does this keep repeating?

The Problem of Commitment

All of us struggle with commitment. After the wave of excitement flattens out, we are left with nothing but the harshness of our decision. This happens because the enormous weight of commitment is deceivingly inconspicuous. But gradually, it saps out our energy and becomes unbearable. That is when we drop our commitments and say to hell with it.

Lack of discipline is another factor that tunnels our resolution. Anything is hard to hold on to for a long time. It is easy to get fired up, but difficult to keep that fire burning. A disciplined effort is needed to tend to the commitment.

We also have the tendency to bite off more than we can chew. That is, we commit to multiple things hoping to make drastic changes to our lives, and get choked in the process. This grabbing-all-at-once attitude stems from our miscalculation of the effort needed.

Remedy

Is there something we can do to stick on to our resolutions? Yes, there is.

First, before committing to anything, take some time to research the level of effort it needs. Then ask the future you, the one who is not drunk with excitement, whether he can do it long term. Even with the increasing responsibility in the job, family, and society, if he answers with a resounding ‘Yes!’, go forward.

But do not stop at that. Keep stoking the fire of excitement. Remember why you got committed in the first place. Hold on tight to that ‘why’. Personally, this gives me direction. As a martial artist, I have seen many passionate people drop out. Usually, it is because they failed to evolve in the art. I could stay long enough because I practice daily, watch fights, and follow the tips of great martial artists. Thus I keep stocking the fire of passion that roots me in the field.

Let us do it

Many are ashamed of falling behind in their resolutions to the point that they stop committing to anything, especially around the new year. But I believe that we should grab every chance to make ourselves better. A new beginning, in the form of a new year, is a good chance.

If we have the vision to see the long-term implications of our decisions, the maturity to evolve, and the discipline to keep at it even when going gets difficult, we surely can stick to our commitments and change our lives for good.

Now, let me get back to my list of resolutions.

Thank you for reading. I would love to hear from you. Please post your comments below.

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