Keep those resolutions simple

At this time of year, I can’t help but start thinking about what my New Year’s resolution will be. I know not everyone makes them, and certainly not everyone achieves them! But for those of us who do, I have an idea to share that might help with our success.

I noticed recently that I often felt incredibly rushed and overwhelmed. And it wasn’t even due to the holidays! I took a long look at my calendar one Wednesday morning and realized my days were full of WAY too many meetings.

As grant professionals, we must have blocks of time each day to do our research and compose our grant proposals. Normally I carefully watch my schedule to make sure those blocks are protected. I try to set boundaries. I even keep a “No Meeting Wednesday” as a recurrence on my calendar. This works well … most of the time.

However, even my precious Wednesdays were getting crazy. I noticed that I was no longer controlling my schedule … it was controlling me. And in the process, I was rushing things and began to make mistakes that my team members noticed. This in turn caused them a little more work, which is the last thing they need.

I carefully examined each meeting and either delayed or deleted ones that weren’t necessary. Some were online and would be recorded, so I moved them to where I could listen during more convenient afternoons. I breathed a sigh of relief and felt the weight lift off my shoulders.

A thought popped in my head at that moment – SLOW DOWN.

I’ve struggled to do this my whole life, and I bet I’m not alone. Our society doesn’t praise a slow, serene lifestyle. However, that’s exactly what we need to do to be more productive! If we’re rushing and never taking a break, we’re more prone to mistakes, which puts us behind when we must go back and correct them. It also affects our team and our customers/clients.

I would love to slow down more in 2025 … heck, I’m trying to start right now. What is one goal you’d like to reach for the New Year? If you make a resolution like I do, I’d like to suggest that you make it as short as possible.

I’m going to write SLOW DOWN on a sticky note that I can attach to my computer monitor and put it as a recurrence on my Google calendar, so it pops up each workday. I want this simple reminder to help me create a new, life-changing habit next year.

If we make our resolutions short, specific, and simple, they’ll be easier to remember and achieve. For example, if you want to get healthier in 2025, perhaps January’s goal can be “Lose five pounds.” If you want to reduce the clutter and chaos in your home, maybe you can start with “Organize the kitchen” for the first quarter.

By keeping your resolution short and to the point, you can look forward to a happier 2025!

Amy Shankland is a writer and fundraising professional living in Noblesville with her husband John, two sons, two dogs, and a cat. You can reach her via email at amys@greenavenue.info.