by Cindy Guthrie
Usually by the time February rolls around I’ve lost, forgotten, or given up my “New Year” resolutions. But something amazing happened this year—I’m still keeping my resolve, I’m doing what I said I was going to do. What’s up with that? Have I finally matured? That seems highly unlikely. Did I do a better job of creating resolutions this year? Possibly—I did heed my own coaching advice and designed resolutions that were S-M-A-R-T-E-R (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time-bound, ethical, and recorded), but one or two were the same as 2009’s resolutions. Then it occurred to me (slowly as usual)—as I discover who I am my perspective has changed about what’s important. Do I need a “duh” here?
The concept of what’s important didn’t show up in previous years. It was the obligatory make-your-annual-resolutions exercise, something to add to and cross off my “to do” list. In fact, it looked more like an extensive to do list than a list of resolutions created to guide me toward a more fulfilling life, toward being a better person.
But this year I experienced a shift. I told myself that if I couldn’t commit to it, it shouldn’t be granted the status of resolution. My thinking changed from this is what I “need to do” to have a more fulfilling life, to this is what I really “want to do.” The result was remarkable.
For an entire month, I’ve genuinely cared about my health and accepted the reality that only I can do something to improve it. More than ever before, because of my sister’s recurrence of cancer, I have gained an appreciation of the willpower it takes to continually fight a battle for a sustained period of time and what that does to your perspective about living in the present. I’ve fully recognized that these rules I’m living by—how I run my business, who I chose as clients, how many hours a week I work—these are the rules I’ve made up, they don’t belong to a boss or company anymore—they are mine. And this time as I consider my resolutions, I understand more completely that the questions are as important as the answers; it’s not totally about the destination, it’s also about enjoying the journey.
Recognizing, understanding, and honoring what’s important really is a new perspective for me. In my desire to live a more fulfilling life, I get busy “doing” and forget the “being.” Since committing to continuously reflecting on what’s important, my perspective has shifted. More than ever before, it feels like I’m achieving real personal growth.
As individuals, personal growth starts with our perspective about ourselves. When we commit to change the way we perceive ourselves, a natural outgrowth is our ability to see others more clearly. Give yourself permission to change the way you perceive you. Invite what comes and enjoy the journey.
After spending 30 years in the human resources field, Cindy Guthrie started Three Degrees of Change to provide both individual and group coaching services for personal and professional development. She holds a Master’s degree in Training and Development from Eastern Illinois University, and is a graduate of the Coaches Training Institute. Cindy has designed and facilitated management development programs for several corporations, taught college level classes, and taught workshops and seminars within the local business community and at the state level. Contact her at cindy@threedegreesofchange.com