Tis the season!
The season to make resolutions, set goals, kick ass, and…promptly fuck all that shit up three weeks later. I have a different approach for you – instead of starting with goals, benchmarks, or other measurements that seem to be the standard for kicking the New Year off right, start with a simple question.
Why?
Why do I plan on hitting the gym at the crack ass of dawn? Why do I want to lose 20 lbs? Why will this be the year that I finally stick to my diet and not wake up to a cascade of pizza boxes and the hint of Mac n cheese still fresh on my breath? (This may or may not be a personal example).
As a society we are very good at imagining a better future for ourselves. Unfortunately our follow through is somewhat lacking.
That’s why at NTX we always try to find the core driving force that motivates the amazing people we are lucky to work with. These are generally the things that not only tug at the heart but also our soul and they are not always the easiest things to face. Whether it be overcoming past hurts in your life to prove that you are stronger than your demons, being healthy for your children, giving cancer the middle finger, not letting your disease define you, or maybe just trying to get that new hot piece of ass that started working at the office to pay a little more attention to you.
Whatever it may be, start with why. (And yes I just used the title to Simon Sinek’s fantastic book, which I highly recommend everyone read.) Because when goals are backed with passion and a purpose, you no longer question yourself about the inconveniences and suffering you endure in the process of creating a better life. Now they are no longer goals scribbled on a piece of a paper to start a new year, they’re expressions of your heart, your soul, and an example of a life well lived.
So always start with why.