Time is a funny thing.

I am going to start this year off with an honest assessment. Time is not a galactic event driven by celestial beings guiding us through space and quantum physics. Time is a tool we humans created to help regulate a few known events that make our lives easier. Measuring time helps us know when to plant, harvest, prepare for weather changes, and understand most of the world’s daylight distribution (power sources). It’s simply a tool that repeats itself constantly and, when used properly, allows us to create a better life. Time is a companion, an imaginary friend which we made up to carry us forward to the thing we care most about… the end.

From the day we are born, we begin to count down to the ultimate endgame. We celebrate birthdays and anniversaries not for longevity but as a countdown to the days (another time-oriented event) when they end.  We tend to celebrate 25, 50, or 100 years, but to be honest, we also consider the rationale of how close it is to the final outcome.

Time is our companion to be with us along the way, not to take us where we want to go. So, why don’t we celebrate a “New Year” every day? January 1 is a mark from which we celebrate the earth’s orbit around the sun to the same spot it was 365 ¼ days ago… but guess what? Yesterday, tomorrow, and all the coming days also celebrate the same event. Each day, the earth is precisely 365 ¼ days from where it was before. In other words, every day is New Year’s Day.

So, why all the fuss about a new beginning or creating a “resolution” for the next year when every day is a new year?

Don’t worry; I am not sure I know the answer, but I do know one thing. If you stopped worrying about the past, lived in the moment, and prepared for a better future, every day would be cherished, and a new life would emerge for those “days” you have left. This is not to be a macabre or doom-and-gloom scenario – It is the opposite. If every day is new, why do we need goals set for a 365 ¼ day rotation? Let’s refocus on a few key elements, and instead of New Year’s Resolutions, let’s create a New Life Resolution for all the days to come (because they are few).

So, what is your best resolution for life in the days you have left? With the help of a friendly genius I know, I have thought about it and narrowed it down to just a few points.

New life Resolution:

1. No Takers.  We spend too much energy and effort on people whose sole ambition is to take without giving back. This includes people, friends, family, and even organizations. I challenge you to look back on all the people you gave time, energy, money, and talent to last year and honestly assess the return on your investment. If their only objective was to take and not return, it’s time for you to remove them from your life. Trust me, as Dan Sullivan said, “Multiplication by subtraction” is the only way for anyone to grow. i.e., to get better in life, you will have to cut a few people and a lot of bad habits out. You will thank me for this one later.
2. You are in charge – no one else. That’s a radical concept for many people looking to be influenced by others, but in the end, no one is in charge of anything. As a society, we tend to create a few guidelines and principles, knowing they will change. We also elect (formally and via default) a few folks to help keep it on track, but we are pretty good at changing them out too. So, what does this mean? No one is in charge. Period. Get over your thoughts of looking for others to save you. Be your best, and you will thrive. You can help and serve others when you are finally in charge, and no one else can misdirect you.
3. If you don’t like what is being said, change the conversation. We do this on TV all the time. If you don’t like the movie, change the channel. The same holds for life. Make the changes you need knowing you are in charge, and you might need to remove a few obstacles to do it. So, if you don’t like your past and don’t like what you see in the future, change it now.

All of this seems simple, but tomorrow is another New Year, so is the next day, and the days a month from now, so why wait? Take advantage of the gifts you have been given by the universe and be your best – every day from here till the end. Focus on this concept and serve others (especially those grateful for your efforts and energy). You will be happier, and never again will you worry about another failed New Year’s Resolution.

Cheers to your New Life Resolution and all the days ahead.

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