At the end of each year, Steve and I evaluate our past year separately and together. He makes an always interesting list of unexpected happenings for that year; I count all my entries to see how they match with my goals for the year. Neither of us makes “New Year’s Resolutions,” but we do plan for improvement in the new year.
This year, based on personal experiences, we each chose a phrase to keep uppermost in our minds. Steve, who procrastinates (and admittedly does well under last-minute pressure) chose “Do it now!” I must give him lots of credit for how he’s using this during the first two months. When I ask him to do something, he is much more likely to get up and do it immediately. He’s better about writing notes when that person is on his mind. He’s quicker to do mundane tasks such as vacuuming crumbs or doing laundry. One aspect I especially appreciate is that he gets the clothes out of the dryer when they are finished rather than waiting several hours.
My phrase is almost the opposite: “Don’t jump ahead!” I love to have things done in advance so that at the last minute I can relax and know it’s taken care of. (I think it stems from always having the anxiety of last-minute prep when I was teaching and had so much on my plate.) This can sometimes lead to problems when I think I know what needs to be done and I jump ahead and do it, perhaps when another person had planned to get it done and feels like I took over.
I’m trying to hold back and walk with Steve when we are out. He always lets me go ahead and hangs back. My solution is to hold hands as we walk, so that I don’t run ahead and we stay together. And, of course, I love holding hands with him.
Whatever your desires to do better in a new year, I hope they’re working out for you. I also choose a theme Bible verse for the year, and the 2024 one fits well with our theme phrases.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3
