New Year's resolutions provide direction, vision

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Lois Fontenot
  • 610th Regional Support Group
NAVAL AIR STATION JOINT RESERVE BASE FORT WORTH, Texas --  Some of the hardest things to commit to for the New Year are resolutions; another is trying to keep them. Most Americans make New Year's resolutions of some kind, i.e.: lose weight; stop smoking; or improve their quality of life. Only half of us will keep our New Year's resolution after a few months, and of those who make resolutions, only a paltry twenty percent reach their goal.

Keeping a resolution requires commitment, like the one you made concerning your military career. One ingredient in the recipe for success is a clear vision. Concentrate on keeping your goal reasonable. You must plan, schedule, and utilize the buddy system. Only then, can you achieve your New Year's resolution.

Examples of an Air Force Reservist' s resolutions could include the dreaded Professional Military Education course -- set a goal to complete your course ahead of schedule; another is physical fitness -- set your goal to achieve an excellent rating; and what about those skill-level tests -- strive to finish those in record time.

Resolutions don't have benchmarks -- goals do. Keeping your resolution goals reasonable sounds reasonable, right? Why set your sights for failure right off the bat -- declare an obtainable goal or resolution to work toward, whether it's PME, physical fitness, dress and appearance, etc.

You must plan and schedule. One of the most powerful tools for successfully reaching goals is writing it down and include benchmarks to reach the goal. Also, chart your progress; it only takes a few minutes a week.

The buddy system is another way for everyone to share their pain and gain. Goals are easier to reach in the company of others who are as set on keeping their resolutions as you are.

New Year's resolutions are no more than realistic goals all Airmen need to set for themselves. Whether it's your military or civilian profession, resolutions and goals provide direction and vision for a satisfying career. Can you keep your New Year's resolution?