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Fumbi O: Wait! Just Before We Start With The Resolutions, Let’s Reflect
I’m getting so giddy at the thought of the new year; before long we would start bringing out those resolutions, and planning on rebranding them for the new year.
2016 has been a lot of things to a lot of people. I feel like this year has been quite eventful. There has been lots of tears around the world due to the rise in death tolls – either caused by vicious terrorists attacks or the unfortunate increase in suicidal deaths like we have seen in Nigeria. Unexpected turn of events, such as the very recent outcome of the USA presidential elections; economic hardship like the recession we’ve had in Nigeria; a lot of political hullabaloo here and there.
Then there was the Forex heart attack many of us had to go through this year, but it hasn’t been all bad. Thankfully, we have also seen stories of hope and unexpected transformations… case in point: the Olajumoke testimony. We have seen a rise in humanitarian efforts even among Nigerians.
Entrepreneurship has taken a major leap. Nigerians have done greater exploits home and abroad; examples are the Nigerians athletes who have set amazing records. Artistes also got amazing international recognition e.g. Wizkid, Tiwa Savage and a host of others. The current legal adviser to the World bank, who is also of a Nigerian descent etc. As bad as our recession seemed, we still had an enormous amount of weddings this year. Every weekend was a hit back to back. On that front, we’ve seen the assimilation of more foreign brands into the Nigerian market. In terms of fashion, we saw the rise of turbans and cold shoulder tops and dresses which were like the unofficial theme for the feminine fashion this year. Also, men in belted skinny suits became a thing. The dab and the nae-nae were the dance moves of the year and sooooo on.
2016 had its troubles as well as its blessings.
I used to be a big resolutions person. I might still be, but this time I think we should take a different approach to it
My Chancellor back in school had a very wise saying which was “only a mad man would keep doing the same thing the same way over and over, expecting a different result”
I think resolutions connote things we wish to do or accomplish in the coming year. Sometimes they’re changes we would like to make to ourselves; but the fact that the majority of resolution writers never actually come close to fulfilling them says something. Our focus is on the wrong thing. We forget that the new year is just the next day.
Inasmuch as there is a feeling of newness, the same dirt you had on you the day before, would still be there on January 1st. It wouldn’t automatically wipe off. You won’t become wiser or richer or bolder just by wishing it into being.
We have to assess those things that limited us in 2016. Why were they able to limit us? What mistakes did we make? What actions did we take for granted? Then make conscious efforts to reconstruct our actions and reactions. Thus, resolutions should be more of new step by step marching orders, and not wishes.
Before that, I believe that it’s only what you are grateful for that will multiply. It saddens me that of all the western habits we decided to imbibe, thanksgiving culture wasn’t one of them. Sometimes it is not so much about what’s next, but more of a sober reflection on what has been. There should be a heartfelt gratitude for how far we’ve come, no matter how short or slow the journey might have been.
So, I agree that we should have a plan for the coming year, as a popular saying goes “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail” writing out our plans is an effective way of staying reminded of what they are at every point in time. But it would be extreme folly to plan and execute the same way we did this year that didn’t work out only to repeat it again the following year.
Let’s reflect first, and think deep why did that business not work out? Why did that relationship fail? What do I need to stop? What do I need to start? What do I need to learn? And then start to draft the marching orders, keeping them as realistic as possible.
Is there something on that old resolution that can still be done? Why not go for it. We don’t have to wait till the New Year to start afresh. Everyday is a new start, that thing that has been seemingly elusive just might click.
Wishing us all an amazing new year ahead Cheers 🙂
Photo Credit: Luba V Nel | Dreamstime.com
