As happens every year with January drawing near, like many others, I like to take the time to review the past year and make good resolutions for the one coming up.
But usually when anyone dares make resolutions, they are broadly or vaguely worded, said to no one in particular, then commitments are conveniently forgotten; and goals achieved are not reviewed at the end of the year.
And yet, nothing is more illuminating, more empowering than taking this exercise seriously, in all its dimensions, clarifying the « becoming oneself » for the 12 coming months.
For this to happen, sit by yourself for 30 minutes. Take a sheet of paper or open a blank page on your computer. And refer to the following seven steps:
1/ Set an ambitious goal for the year. For example: To be happy, bring happiness to others, find employment, or any other important goal. A difficult and crucial choice.
2/ Make a list of private, work-based or civic spheres where you want to accomplish something in the coming year. For example: Income, work, trips, home, spouse, children, entertainment, elective mandates.
3/ Elaborate for each sphere a concrete list specifying in as quantified a way as possible the objectives to be attained: an amount of income, a list of the countries to be visited, a specific good deed in favor of one’s spouse.
4/ Make a list of threats to be averted and the disaster response capability, including the ability to respond to unlikely disasters and those of great magnitude.
5/ Make a list as honest and clear as possible of those you can rely on and those who can rely on you. Personally, professionally and socially. And evaluate a list of things to do for each of them.
In so doing, we have a clearer understanding of who we are, where our freedom lies, what depends on us. What to expect for the coming year, what to expect in the world.
6/ Then continually monitor on a month-to-month basis the attainment of these target goals, their exceedances or disappointment.
7/ Finally, at the end of the year revise the very structure of these goals and their underlying values in the light of new results and ambitions.
The exercise may seem academic or naive. That is not the case. What is more, this is the very condition on which freedom depends: You can only control what you can measure.
It is true that, not only we have the responsibility of doing it for ourselves, but we must also demand the same exercise from our leaders: Instead of being presented with New Year’s greetings, the President of the Republic, your mayor, your MP, your boss or the head of your office (if you have one) should be the ones to tell you what they plan on doing for you, for us, for all those under their care for a part of their lives.
If they do not deliver, we have to call them to task on these matters. Stress the need, in the next day or so, from all those who will come to you to wish you « a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,» to answer this question.
Interrupt them and ask: « precisely, what are you going to do so that both of us can enjoy a happy and profitable new year.» And ask for a frank and complete answer to this question.
Try and do it. Even during New Year’s Eve. This will have a great impact. Therefore it will be positive.
j@attali.com