You Don't Need a New Year's Resolution
- Coach David Heeb
- Dec 31, 2016
- 3 min read
"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
I've never understood New Year's resolutions. Never. Maybe it's because I'm a teacher, and New Year's Eve is just the halfway point of the school year? Maybe it's because I'm a basketball coach, and New Year's Eve is just he halfway point of our season? I can't tell you why. I just don't understand New Year resolutions, and I don't like them.
I could give you a bunch of statistics that prove New Year's resolutions are stupid. I'll put it in much simpler terms: THEY ALMOST NEVER WORK.
Here is how I try to do it instead: Operate with a "Just Win Today" mentality.
When I went to watch Duke University practice, Coach K was fanatic about getting to the "next play." In basketball, you can be on offense, somebody makes a silly mistake, and we're running the other way on defense RIGHT NOW. We don't have time to analyze what just happened or argue with each other or be upset about it. We have to get to the next play.
This is equally important when you make a good play. You have to get to the next play. In basketball, if you make a nice shot and try to celebrate, a good team will run it right down your throat. There is no time to celebrate or high five each other. We have to get to the next play.
That's kind of what "Just Win Today" is all about. If yesterday was the best day of your life, IT'S OVER. Today is a new day. You have to win again today. If yesterday was the worst day of your life, IT'S OVER. You have another chance to win today. "NEXT PLAY"
I know in my own life, I sometimes get worried about what is going to happen tomorrow or next week or next month. Fear or anxiety of "the unknown" is something that a lot of people can relate to. When I get that way, I try to remind myself to "focus on what is right in front of me." I can't control what is going to happen in the future. Worrying about it does me no good. The only thing I can do is try to win today and make it as good as possible.
So if you're making a New Year's resolution today, good for you. All I'm saying is, if things don't go as planned, and you don't quite live up to the promises you make to yourself tonight LOL... just make a new resolution. And when that one fails, make another one.
If you can make a goal and stick to it for a week, good for you. If you have a bad day, it doesn't have to equal a bad year. Just set a new goal. Maybe it will last for a month this time? I just know if you start thinking that way (JUST WIN TODAY), you start having more good days than bad days. And if you can string enough of those good days together, you might not get rich or be on the cover of a magazine, but you'll be happy.
Isn't that what life should be about? Happy New Year!!!
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