18 Days Down: New Year’s Resolution or Theme – which is yours?

With 8 down and 348 days to go (it’s a leap year), I know that some of you with fabulous life-altering resolutions are beginning to curl your toes over the edge of reality.

Why?

Because a resolution is a mere ruse with an inherent bias for failure for all but a few personality types. They’re typically rigid, binary / one-size-does-not-fit-all-dictums that set you up for a swing and a miss. No wonder you’re drowning in guilt by your third cup of coffee – oh wait, was that your resolution? No worries, I’m sure it was decaf.

But fear not, all hope is not lost! Just shift. As Adam Grant says, “anchor yourself in a sense of flexibility.” That’s one of my favorite quotes.

I gave up resolutions years ago. Instead, I go with a yearly theme. Forget “quit sugar cold turkey.” This year it’s “more joy, less friction.” It’s not a one-month crash course: it’s about a sustainable upgrade to the whole year.

Here’s my secret: psychometrics.

Not those wonky personality tests you find on Facebook with a “let’s play” to suck you in – but instead a heavily researched and validated tool that provides data on your inherent personality traits, motivations, and talents. I use them with my clients (and, yes, on myself, as self-awareness is a key step on the leadership ladder). Turns out, I’m not wired for rigid structure, no surprise to me. I thrive on nudges, not dictates. So, my ” more joy, less friction” theme translates to shifts in three key areas:

Health: Instead of “Peloton workout every morning for an hour,” it’s about moving more, being consistent, and doing something that I enjoy every day, not only a Peloton workout. It’s about adding weights back in, consistently. Improving flexibility and mobility. Those are themes. Most importantly, it’s about giving myself grace when it doesn’t happen, looking at the why, and doing better the next day.

Home: Forget Marie Kondo-ing my life into oblivion. I’m aiming for starting with “Zen pockets” – a clutter-free corner here, a tidy, culled bookshelf of inspiring reads there, my couch and coffee table consistently reset at the end of the night. More serenity, less stuff.

Happiness: Positivity isn’t about chanting happy mantras. For most people, it’s a choice. Sometimes a hard choice. It’s about acknowledging the little wins, savoring a hot drink on a cold day, telling a colleague “well done,” and saying “let’s go” to unexpected adventures. More high fives, less existential dread.

So, ditch the doomed resolutions, my friends. Embrace the theme, embrace the nudge, embrace the joy. Let’s make 2024 the year of “more joy, less friction.” Because in leadership and in life, it’s all about engagement, not dread.

Now, excuse me while I plan the next Founders Hike (interested? Ask me).

P.S. Need a nudge? Ping me. – Remember, it’s not about being perfect, it’s about making progress with a smile. Cheers to joy, frictionless victories, and conquering 2024 like the superstar you are!

#psychometrics #MoreJoyLessFriction #NoResolutions