Happy New Year, y’all! This year I’m going to…Thrive in ’25! Survive in ‘25. Stay alive in ’25! Prioritize in ‘25. Be wise in ’25. Strive in ‘25. Be surprised in ’25!
Yup, it’s that time of the year. Tradition and conventional wisdom tell us to make our New Year’s resolution list by Dec. 31. But before you commit to it this year, I want you to ask yourself how many times in the past have you really achieved all the things on your list?
According to InsideOut Mastery:
38.5% of all U.S. adults set New Year’s resolutions every year.
59% of young adults (18-34) have New Year’s resolutions.
48% want to exercise more, making it the most popular New Year’s resolution.
23% quit in the first week, and only 36% make it past the first month.
9% successfully keep their New Year’s resolutions.
Perhaps part of the problem is that we try to accomplish too much when we try to do them all at once. So, instead of making an unrealistic list of New Year’s resolutions, which usually leads to frustration and even depression, what if you could focus on “just one thing?”
As human beings we like to know what others are thinking, even though we know that comparison is the thief of joy. Given our need to compare, it’s time for another purely unscientific JoeBa survey. I reached out to random family and friends and asked this question: If there was “just one thing” you could do this year to really make a difference in your life going forward, what would it be?
Here are their (mostly) unedited responses. No judging allowed! I appreciate their willingness to respond honestly.
“To remind myself to always reflect on what matters to others. How and why they are motivated, assess risk and fear, and show and receive love.” – John DeBlasio, Chicago
“Prioritizing service to others.” – Kathy Deisley, Lancaster, Pa.
“To focus less on my worries and inner tensions. To focus more on worshipping God and reaching out to others. Self-focus typically creates greater frustration while a focus on God and others leads to fulfillment and joy.” – Bill Horlacher, State College
“Shifting from self-focused goals to thinking about others has a more positive impact on me. This year my goal is audacious. To scale Medtronic’s new-to-world hypertension therapy, called Simplicity. This will transform the lives of millions of people around the world as hypertension is the #1 contributor to death.” – Geoff Martha, Minneapolis
“Keeping a journal of goals and daily progress.” – Kyle Deisley, Lancaster, Pa.
“Like Jerry and George who wrote a show about ‘nothing,’ I got nothing. I was going to say, ‘win the $1 billion plus Mega Millions,’ but it looks like someone has done it. Hope you find a good one!” – Bill, Boston
“For myself: Get my health on track specifically through my diet. Any area that I coast in, I coast towards dysfunction, and that’s happening with my diet. For others: Read & study the Bible on a regular basis. When we get this area of our life in check, every other area will fall in line!” –Pastor Anthony Lucarini, Bluffton, S.C.
“Wake up 30 minutes earlier than usual every day…make coffee and spend time in prayer, meditation, stretching, and relaxing before starting the day. A calm start to the day will leave you more refreshed and not in a hurried state.” – Karen Davis, Irving, Texas
“To get better quality of sleep as that truly impacts a person’s daily life.” – Jonathan Wanderstock, Aurora, Colo.
“Write more personal notes to my friends and family as I think and recall all experiences we shared over the years. Each time I have done that it has come back to me tenfold.” – Bill Charles, Charlotte, N.C.
“Spending more time reading the Bible, that would make the biggest difference in my life going forward. Physical, mental and spiritual all working together for my overall health.” – Friend from Alabama
“Sticking (mostly) to a clean diet of natural whole foods.” – Scott Deisley, Lancaster, Pa.
“Find a church.” – Troy Willard, Hardeeville, S.C.
“Remain unconcerned about things I cannot control. I believe this will reduce anxiety and aggravation in my daily life.” – Steve Liker, Sun City, S.C.
“Appreciate every day with patience and understanding.” – Angie Battista (my mom!), Pittsburgh
“I’m always saying ‘find the joy in what you do.’ It doesn’t have to be big; it’s everyday things – saying hi to the person in line behind you, allowing that car to get in front of you, enjoying a rainbow while playing pickleball. I just want to continue with finding some type of happiness every day, being grateful and thankful!” – Debby Willard, Champaign, Ill.
“Focus on a healthy lifestyle: eating, exercise, rest, and less pressure!” -John Bacon, Ann Arbor, Mich. . (Shameless plug for my author friend: Visit Johnubacon.com)
“Prioritizing being in the word. For all the obvious reasons. The other thing is continuing to focus on managing finances. I’m doing a good job but I’d like to continue and drill down a little harder.” – Linda Keane, Bluffton, S.C.
“Become semi-skilled at pitching and chipping would make a huge difference because then my golf performance would not be so consistently dreadful!” – Steve Smith, State College
“To be more attentive to ‘signals’ from those around me that need my assistance, a friendly smile, or just an encouraging word. Sometimes I miss those subtle hints that ask for help without saying the word.” – George, Central Pa.
“Reprioritizing time and purpose. To find the best platform possible both professionally and personally to impact and serve the most people. Finding that passion and purpose to guide me in helping those around me.” – Chris Schmale, Ames, Iowa
“My husband Ray wants to cultivate a local group of friends who share interests like golf, hiking, and travel. I want to learn to play golf so I have confidence playing with our family and these new friends!” – Cheryl Plewa, Phoenix
“Abide in Christ.” Pastor Geoff Lawson, Bluffton, S.C.
“Being laser focused on accomplishing the significant and not being bogged down in the muck of the not so significant. Completely embracing the philosophy that a good thing that keeps you from the best thing, is a bad thing.” – Jeff Ginn, Greater Cincinnati
“Choosing gratitude and joy and learning to hit a slow-pitched softball better (lol).” – Deb Wilkosz, New Castle, Del.
“NO ZEROS both personally and professionally. Don’t let a day go by without doing something to continue to grow and better myself. This mindset can also be used to improve relationships in your life.” – Brian Stevenson, Pittsburgh
“Set a positive example of politeness, kindness and thoughtfulness.” – Pete Keane, Sun City, S.C.
“To be disciplined and consistent with blocking off 3-4 hours every morning, early morning, for Deep Work. That’s an extra 700-1000 hours a year just for the most meaningful projects.” – Brian Lewis, Bluffton, S.C.
“To read the Bible more, pray more, allow my eyes and ears to see and hear what is good, and to be willing to walk and talk like Jesus. So, turn my life over to Jesus each and every day.” – Karen Snyder, Bluffton, S.C.
“I need to be less ‘judgmental’ of other people. Life is all about building relationships, thus I need to be more open minded and a better listener of others without pre judging their comments.” – Sam Bernstine, New Galilee, Pa.
What is the “Just one thing” for ME this year? Despite my very real hearing loss, (which she believes is selective hearing!), to be more intentionally focused when listening to my wife!
So…What is YOUR one thing?
