Always bear in mind that your own resolution to
succeed is more important than any other.
– Abraham Lincoln
Cheers to the year ahead and another chance to get it right.
Still deciding on your resolutions and goals? Need a few words of wisdom? Below you will find 12 powerful resolutions to follow this year and every year going forward.
So open the new chapter in front of you and appreciate it’s clean white space. This chapter is called Opportunity and it starts today…
1. Begin.
Remember the feeling you get from taking the first step is far better than the feeling you get from sitting around thinking about it. So get up and get moving. Take the first step this year – just one small step forward.
The greatest miracle of your success will not be that you finished, it will be that you had the courage to begin. Read Getting Things Done.
2. Work hard on the essential.
Don’t be busy, be productive. Don’t track your time, track your results. Put first things first and get them done.
And don’t expect your goal to be easy; it’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard you would already have it completed, and so would everyone else. The hard part is what makes it worthwhile. In life there are no shortcuts to any place worth going.
3. Stay true to your path.
A successful life is one that is lived through understanding and pursuing one’s own path, not chasing after the dreams of others.
You have to do what’s right for you; no one else walks in your shoes. Keep moving forward, beyond the negative rhetoric echoing from the peanut gallery. Do what you have to do, for you. Live a life you are proud of. And the moment you realize you’re not, find the strength to start over again on a new path.
4. Nurture your self-confidence.
You have everything you need within you to become the best possible version of YOU.
Believe that you CAN. Believe that you’re capable of pushing harder and farther than you have before. Believe that you’re young enough, old enough, smart enough and strong enough to achieve your goals. Don’t let false beliefs stop you from moving beyond yourself. And certainly don’t get sidetracked by the people around you who are not on track. Read Learned Optimism.
5. Focus on solutions.
Life gets better when you choose to make it so. Negative people make lots of noise about how bad things are, while positive people quietly and steadily improve things.
There are always problems, there are always challenges, and there are always people willing to transform those problems and challenges into great opportunities. Those who have the courage, commitment and discipline to do so, create a better life for everyone. Be one of these people. Focus on solutions and work your way eagerly toward a brighter future.
6. Accept the things you can’t change.
What you resist, persists. If you are resisting something, you are feeding it. Any energy you actively fight, you are feeding. If you are using negative energy to push something away, you are inviting it to stay.
Choose to accept what is, be positive and proactive, let go of the need to control every tiny detail, and embrace peace in the process.
7. Leave the past where it belongs.
Don’t stumble over something behind you. Don’t use the past as an excuse to miss out on today. You do not heal the wounds of the past by digging deeper into them.
Acceptance truly is the bitter pill you have to bravely swallow to move beyond yesterday’s sorrows. It’s a choice you must make. Because the truth of the matter is that history only dictates the future if you allow it. In other words, you only have to relive it if you choose to. Read The Power of Now.
8. Balance work with necessary rest.
Sometimes it’s best to rest so you can put a fresh set of eyes on your work. When you’re overworked or burnt out on a project, you become accident prone, and when that happens you’re increasing the chances of turning out suboptimal work.
Novelist Zadie Smith once said, “When you finish your novel, if money is not a desperate priority, if you do not need to sell it at once or be published that very second, put it in a drawer for as long as you can manage. Step away from it all. The secret to editing your work is simple: you need to become its reader instead of its writer.” Even though Smith talks about doing this with a novel, it’s a piece of advice we can all use for just about anything we work on.
9. Set a good example.
It’s not about what you say; it’s about how you live your life every day. The people who look up to you are watching you all the time. These people are like sponges – what they see or feel you do, they will imitate. So remember that your words mean a lot less than what you’re doing. Choose to believe that you can and will change lives with what you do each day, and you will.
Let your actions speak for themselves.
10. Be sincerely kind to everyone around you.
Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates positivity. Kindness in giving creates love.
Through kindness you have the ability to make a profound difference in every life you touch, including your own. When you guide someone who is lost and confused, when you hold someone who is sad and grieving, when you hug someone who has lost all their hope, you too will feel yourself healing and growing stronger.
11. Show your love.
You don’t need to be perfect to be a perfect friend or lover, but the commitment to your relationship is a precious responsibility. Relationships last a lifetime only when two people make a choice to keep it, fight for it, and work for it. These acts of love don’t need to be extravagant either; they just need to be true. And true love is always shown in deeds, not words. Read The 5 Love Languages.
12. Help change one life.
No matter how overwhelming life’s challenges and problems seem to be, or how small you feel at times, YOU can make a difference in the world. What you do truly matters. In fact, the vast majority of positive changes come about in someone’s life simply because one other person cares for them, believes in them, and motivates them.
So be that one person, even if it’s to only one other person.
Photo by: Leland Francisco
Nel says
I really needed these reminders today as we head into the New Year. Thank you so much! And thank you again for all your blogs. I’m not sure if you realize how much of a difference they have made in my daily life and others. I need these constant reminders not to get caught up in the lies my mind seems to enjoy bombarding me with – it is a daily struggle.
Happy New Year Marc and Angel! And congrats on the new ebook! I bought it yesterday and I love it.
Gavin Anglin says
I’ve been reading a lot of the articles here for a few months now and doing what I can to use the advice. It has been an excellent few months; I have been truly happy and living very productively lately.
Thank you. And I’m looking forward to implementing the resolutions here in the year ahead.
Dani says
Spot on advice for wonderful year ahead. Inspiring! “Help change one life” is at the top of my list.
anthonynlee says
Seven… oh seven… how thee vex me.
I feel like eight may be my most challenging one though. I am so busy and yet always feel like I am still not utilizing my time properly. I really wish I could be a robot that didn’t need sleep. 🙂
And twelve made this whole list so much more. If everyone in the world just did that, think of how different things would be…
Great stuff (as usual).
Nooha says
Dear Marcandangel
Thank you so much for all the inspiring thoughts for the past two days I have been reading through some of the posts and so far each and every piece has been something I could relate to or want to give a try to. This will definitely help me to be better at who I am in the year to come and years to come.
Alfian Effendy says
I love point #11 and #12. Inspiring and amazing.
Our Nige says
Hi Marc and Angel I have been with you for the last 3 or 4 months or so and have found comfort, inspiration, truth and growth in the regular reading of your posts so a really big Thank You from me. You provide a great service to remind us of where we should be or would like to be and how to start moving along that path. It is so easy to get lost in this world and for the small voice of reason to be drowned out by all the shouting and negativity.
A great set of resolutions to help step into the future and 12 is especially productive if we can do it. I’d also like to just had a little, not only help someone who may need it but let others help us as not only do we need a little help too but think how much better they will feel having helped you as you feel having helped them.
Happy New Year to yourselves and all readers.
I will be visiting regularly in the New Year
Many thanks, Nige
Aya says
Thank u, thank u, and happy NEW Year!
Elze says
You two have been an absolute inspiration in my life since i found you website in 2012. May you touch many more lives in 2013.
Sandra says
You folks do awesome work! I’ve been looking forward to your postings in my Monday & Wed morning reading for a full year now. You are gifted with discernment, curation and the right words plus you are sharing that gift with others so fully and freely. #12 is my inspiration for the upcoming year, give as I have received.
Also appreciate the opportunity to give back to you practically with the purchase of your new book. Happy New Year Marc and Angel…
Victoria says
#7 – I love the saying “don’t stumble over something behind you”. So true. I keep telling myself to stop living (reliving) my past but this saying about stumbling over it really creates a great visual. Thank you for the great work you do and for sharing it.
Tami says
A co-worker/friend of mine told me about your website. Just a few days in… I can say I really love it. I love these 12 points and I plan to implement several (if not all of them) in the year ahead. Here’s to a more productive, meaningful, giving, loving, and healthy New Year!!
Amandah says
Great post!
I would add that it’s important to clear out 2012 before you begin making New Year’s Resolutions for 2013.
If you don’t recognize your self-sabotaging beliefs, thoughts, and patterns from 2012, you’ll repeat them in 2013.
You may want to use the first week of 2013 to clear out 2012 and then begin making your resolutions or goals lists. For example, if you need to make amends to anyone, write them a letter, but don’t send it. Or say a prayer for forgiveness. Don’t forget to forgive yourself too.
If you’ve recognized that you’re still blaming your parents, the government, etc. for your financial troubles, have the courage to accept responsibility for the life you’ve created thus far.
Clear out the cobwebs of 2012 before rushing into 2013 and the year ahead will be one that’s filled with joy, prosperity, health, and happiness.
Happy New Year!
Sheryl Kurland says
Beautiful resolutions. I’d also add a #13 – Shed negative relationships that weigh you down & hold you back.
Trevor says
“1. Begin.”
This is truth.
The most important part of a journey is always the first step. Without it, there is no journey.
We should all be mindful that change is a process. We will have ups and downs; good days and bad. Sometimes we will be full of motivation, at others we will need to push through despite our lack of it.
It’s so often said that it is the journey that matters, not the destination. And it’s true. Because the reality is that our goals continually change as we make progress.
The destination lies on the horizon. You can chase it your entire life, but never reach it. Yet when you look back, when you see the miles covered, you’ll realize just how far you’ve actually come.
That’s what matters.
Happy New Year!
D. Renee says
These are great and I truly agree with them and the additions from the comments, shed negative relationships and clear out 2012 before begining 2013. I make it a habit to write a year-end summary on the 31st or the 1st. My birthday is early in January so that is my annual window of review and planning. This list is of great reminders of what to include and consider for 2013.
I look forward to your posts in 2013.
Renee
Mary B. says
Hi Marc and Angel!!!
Happy New Year!!!! I love this list. Great way to start 2013 off on a good foot.
I have a question. Will your ebook ever be published in hard copy? I prefer to read books that I can hold, plus I don’t have a Kindle or similar. I hope so! Looks really good!!
Thank you for keeping me inspired!!!
Joan says
I especially love #6. I think this applies to all of our human emotions as well. “What we resist, persists”. If we resist the periods in our life that are challenging emotionally, those periods lasts twice as long. By accepting that life was not always meant to be tribulation free and that we all hurt sometimes, we allow ourselves those periods without self judgement. Where we may get into trouble is when we have started to believe that it’s wrong or unacceptable or just too uncomfortable to feel our feelings. If we deny ourselves the right to feel the uncomfortable emotions, we cannot move forward to truly correct the cause of them.
Dawn Z. says
Your post “spoke to me” this morning!
I am participating in Ali Edwards’ “One Little Word” this year and have been waiting for just the right word to speak to me. One that embodies what I wish to be, do and focus on this year. I had been mulling around the word “begin” when I read your post and there it was – #1 – Begin. Here’s to beginning this journey in 2013. Thank you!
Renee says
Hello Marc and Angel,
I bought your ebook the other day and have been soaking it up every day since 🙂 It’s wonderful! I am grateful you are both writing and that you found each other.
It is easy to be heavy, difficult to be light. As we head into 2013 tonight, I am filled with more gratitude each and every day. I am choosing to be happy from this point forward in my life. I have been through too much heartache and pain in recent years – life is much too short!!!
Cheers to all of your readers and here’s to an exceedingly happy, healthy, prosperous and magnificent 2013!
wandamae says
Dear Marc and Angel,
Love your post, love the way your thoughts seem to always be there in the right format just when I need them most. Please keep up this wonderful site for all of us [me] that need you so much.
Begin, that is the one for me this time, and Maintain is the one that I must always remember – I get lazy, complacent, and it is with a glad heart to read words that give me a verbal kick.
Thank you, May your year of 2013 be Blessed.
Tami says
Thank you for the resolutions to help me through the next year. Some of your articles have helped me through some very difficult times. I wish I had this type of guidance in my younger years.
Bode Ajakaiye says
Thank you so much Marc and Angel for all your beautiful and highly inspiring write ups. You guys have been wonderful motivators. More grease to your elbows. I wish the whole crew a happy and prosperous New Year.
Dr. Marc Tinsley says
These resolutions are great, but why wait until the New Year? When I speak and consult with individuals and businesses, I stress that goal setting and new resolutions should be done regularly and continuously to reach peak performance and excellence in your field. Resolve every day.
Shelley says
# 6 Accept the things you cannot change
That says it all for me, and for my husband. I think we would all be happier if we could do that. Stop trying to control everything and everyone and just worry about my thoughts, my actions & re-actions to the things that I cannot control. Life would be SO much more enjoyable.
Thank you and Happy New Year!
Diana says
I recently purchased and downloaded your ebook and wanted to thank you for doing it. I just love it and that is an understatement. I’ve been waiting for it since I started reading your posts. I would highly recommend to everyone who loves your website as much as I do. Keep up the good work! I love you guys.
Susanna Halonen says
I like these 12 points and definitely agree on keeping them in mind throughout all the years!
But I think we ought to be more cautious with using terms like goals & resolutions because they can also have stress inducing effects if we obsess over them. They’re great for setting the path but it’s habits that will help you stick to them.
I just published a post on 3 simple ideas to follow for a happier 2013 – one of them being on focusing on improvement instead of “fixed” goals – so would be great to hear what you think of it 🙂
Masudul Hasan says
Thank you so much for this piece – so true. I truly appreciate the ideas. And of course, my heartiest congratulations to you on releasing the book version of this blog; I’m sure many of us were waiting eagerly for this wonderful news. I hope someday there will be a paper version too. Finally, I wish you, and all the amazing readers of this blog, and everyone else in the world, a truly successful, joyous, lovely and HAPPY NEW YEAR! 🙂
Jonah says
A good set of resolutions – start with one and then move on to others. This is a very good way to start a new life too, not just a new year. Thanks.
Diligence Eke says
What a great way to start the year. Putting these into practice is surely going to set me up for being my best. Keeping to resolutions are, however, not easy. I really wish you could do something on how to effectively adhere to resolutions.
Shanti says
Thank you so much Marc and Angel for all your wonderful inspiring write-ups. I will definitely follow all these to transform myself to be better and best in everything.
And I wish you and all the amazing readers of the blog a very Happy New year.
igoni henry says
Dear Marc and Angel,
You’re always a step ahead or a step behind but always close enough with the right words to push and encourage me. Your thought line is wonderful and the inspiration i get to say yes or no in situations and circumstances is priceless. Thank you for being a blessing to me.
A happy new year of progress and fulfillment to you both.
Jasmine says
Hi! I am a teenager from Asia and I am very touched with how you write. I mean, it’s not just the beauty of how you choose your words to let us feel the warmth I feel now, it’s your heart shining through it all. These motivating words are the gifts of God to us people. Continue being an inspiration to us. Bless you. 🙂
Schere says
Just two words: THANK YOU!
Rose says
Y’all are so great! Thank you for being such a positive influence in my life and a guide for me in my young twenties! Great to help put things in perspective which I feel is difficult to do at my age 🙂
Anthony S says
Thank you, through everyone’s hard time’s in this life, these are the most important things to remember. I will continue reading in full, and be thankful for the opportunity. Please continue to spread light and love, without you, I would be lost.
Davis Nguyen says
Thank you for sharing this list. I think we should all aim to do these things every day and eventually it will be a yearly thing.
Abdul Rauf says
Although all are superb but I love the Number 12 the most. I am right now curating my NY’s Resolution out right now and I found this super post to inspire. Thanks.