What Will You Stop Doing in 2013?
22 Dec
Over the next week or so, if you haven’t done it already, you might dream up some very grand New Year’s resolutions. And there’s almost no chance you’ll follow through on them.
I’m not saying that to be a jerk. I’m merely quoting research from reliable sources, which tell us that the vast majority of people never make progress on their New Year’s resolutions even after committing to the same resolution 10 different times.
And I’m certainly no exception. Since all the way back in second grade, when I concocted a very short-lived plan to run laps around my parents’ backyard and ended up with bronchitis, I’ve been making and mostly breaking resolutions .
The reasons are simple: we are quite literally creatures of habit and our brains are wired to change habits slowly. Most of us give up before we can build new habits into our repertoire, a process that can take weeks or even months.
So, here’s an option to consider. Since we’re not very good at adding things to our to-do lists, why not subtract a few instead?
Best-selling business writer Jim Collins introduced the idea of a Stop Doing List some time ago. But since the idea is new to me, it seemed worth passing along to you.
I’m also planning to use it in 2013.
To be clear, though, I will not stop making my kids Spaghettios for lunch now and then and sneaking a few spoonfuls myself. Nor will I apologize for my addiction to fantasy football, my hard-core introversion or the Hall & Oates Greatest Hits CD that’s loaded in my car right now.
But I am open to the possibility of:
- Not responding like a trained animal every time the “new e-mail” sound pings.
- No longer staying up for that last 30 minutes at night when all I do is waste time.
- Not watching sporting events that start after 9 p.m.
- Not checking my favorite web sites more than twice a day.
These are all little things, of course, but it’s better to start small. And stopping these things will, at least in theory, increase my mindfulness and focus – permitting me to savor more fully the succulent taste and texture of a Spaghettios meatball.
Tags: Jim Collins, Stop Doing List
Great idea! That’s a helpful and practical way to go about change. In fact, I would do well to try at least 3 of the 4 things you’re working to stop for yourself. Along with the mental image of a stop sign, when tempted with resuming these behaviors we can also remember words that are surely on your Hall and Oates CD…”I can’t go for that…no can do…”
Very cool ideas. Thanks for the referral to the work of Jim Collins. Such wonderful and applicable ideas to our personal and professional lives, as are your blogs. This was a great catalyst for conversation between me and my husband. Good for me, ah . . . my husband, not so much, but after a good night’s sleep he’ll thank me. You know how guys can be . . . LOL!!
I hear you! Especially that new email response! I’m following your lead here.
Hi Galen! Great to hear from you. One of my resolutions, now that my family has finally moved into a new house, is to get back to following your wonderful blog regularly. Look forward to seeing you over there!