What's that one big thing that you really want to make happen this year? Focus on that.
By Henry Adeleye on January 1, 2016
It's the first day of 2016. Be prepared to write 2015 by accident for a few weeks (I mistakenly wrote 2015 here twice already and this article hasn't even started). Be prepared to see all the gyms crowded for a few weeks. And most of all, be prepared to see people's New Year's resolutions fire up, then come to a slow, deathly sizzle after a few weeks. These things are as certain as hearing Hotline Bling 20 times last night was.
For some reason, we all have big hopes at the beginning of each year, only to let life get in the way and cause your train of thought to derail and fall into the cold, cold water below. We want to make better strides each year, but the problem is that we try to do too many things all at once. It's hard to lose 30 pounds, get your dream job, and stop global warming when you also plan to run for president, governor, mayor, and carpool captain.
This year, instead of doing all those things, just focus on one really big and measurable goal, and make it your job to reach it no matter what. What's that one big thing that you really want to make happen this year? Focus on that. There's power in simplicity. There's strength in being able to say no to a million things in order to say yes to the things that really matter.
If you want to go back to school, make that your singular focus. If you want to become be more healthy, make that your singular focus. If you want to book four more clients per week, make that your singular focus. If you want to marry Donald Trump, make that your singular focus. Of course, we don't live in a bubble and you can't literally focus on only one thing when you have other responsibilities like making sure you don't starve to death, but once you start moving towards that one big thing, the little things will happen to fall into place. Or at least that's how it's supposed to work.
So, let's make sure you don't fall into the trap. Fulfilling one resolution completely is better than half-doing 10. Make that step forward that you've been wanting to make. You deserve it. Start 2016 strong. But even more important, finish it strong too.