As we turn the page from 2024 to 2025, many people focus their plans for the new year by writing or sharing their New Year’s resolutions. These usually involve identifying new habits or improvements that we want to make. Stereotypically people don’t do a good job of staying on course with their resolutions for very long. So, would it be better to just avoid making resolutions at all?
When I consider whether to create resolutions or not, I’m reminded of the age-old wisdom from Alice in Wonderland. At one point in the story, Alice asked the Cheshire Cat, who was sitting in a tree, “What road do I take?” The cat asked, “Where do you want to go?” “I don’t know,” Alice answered. “Then,” said the cat, “it really doesn’t matter, does it?
That story is a great reminder that getting somewhere specific requires forethought and planning and discipline. So, whether that involves New Year’s resolutions or perhaps just well-defined goals, having a clear and specific outcome in mind is more likely to produce the progress and results you want to achieve.
Steven Covey, in his book “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”, introduced a concept he called “Begin With the End in Mind”. It means to begin each day, task, or project with a clear vision of your desired direction and destination.
“If you don’t know where you are going then any road leads you there” is a simplified summary of the conversation between Alice and the Cheshire Cat. Unless you prefer to wander aimlessly throughout 2025, I highly recommend choosing a few (no more than three) areas of concentration. Spend some time writing down how to best focus your time and attention in the coming year to make progress on these important priorities.
Don’t overwork it. But make sure the few areas of concentration are meaningful and worthwhile. Then start making progress towards your destination.
Welcome to 2025! Make it a year to remember!
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