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New Year Resolutions?

 

Every year is an adventure we take one step at a time over 365 days. The adventure is up to us, we get to choose. Each January, these choices lead us to resolutions. The thought of these resolutions leads me to recommit to my version of Merlin Olsen's mission statement. Without boring you with mine, here's what he says…

“The focus of my life begins at home with family, loved ones & friends.  I want to use my resources to create a secure environment that fosters love, learning, laughter & mutual success.  I will….

Protect & Value Integrity

Admit & Quickly Correct My Mistakes

Be a Self-Starter

Be a Caring Person

Be a Good Listener with an Open Mind

Continue to Grow & Learn

Facilitate & Celebrate the Success of Others”

Merlin Olsen (September 15, 1940 – March 11, 2010)

This is a wonderful aspirational list from a great guy who had a very positive impact on the world. Get your list out and let's do a quick exercise...

Take each item on your list and start with "I resolve to..."

This is deciding on a course of action. We know deciding is different from doing so this is good, not great.

Now take each item on your list and start with "I intend to..."

This is having a plan around a purpose. We're getting somewhere now because our list is beginning to be tied to our values (purpose).

Let's create some "New Year's Questions" using some of Olsen's list and see where that takes us...

Protect & Value Integrity

Action = Did I do my best today to do the right thing in congruence with my core values?

Be a Self-Starter

Action = Did I do my best today to take initiative and prioritize my time?

Be a Caring Person

Action = Did I do my best today to express gratitude, and appreciation for myself and others?

Be a Good Listener with an Open Mind

Action = Did I do my best today to be empathetic to others?

Continue to Grow & Learn

Action = Did I do my best today to read, watch, or listen to something in my current intellectual curiosity?

Facilitate & Celebrate the Success of Others

Action = Did I do my best today to make recognition an abundant resource?

These questions put the responsibility of your "resolutions" on you. They are yours after all. Find a "success partner" to share them with and your 2024 adventure will be the best yet!

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This technology is supported in part by New Technologies for Ag Extension (funding opportunity no. USDA-NIFA-OP-010186), grant no. 2023-41595-41325 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Extension Foundation. For more information, please visit extension.org. You can view the terms of useat extension.org/terms.

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