I have held off sending out any posts or messages this year on setting goals or starting something new as I have been reflecting on the tradition or trend of the New Years resolutions, goal setting etc
It is thought that ‘resolutions’ have been made throughout history, from the Babylonians onwards. It is thought that they made pledges to the Gods following a spring festival. The Romans are thought to have made vows of renewal to their Gods.
For many years I have been asking my clients at the start of each new year what their goals or intentions are. This year I did not, and here is why...
My reflections included:
1. Life does not stop in December and start in January. The Japanese have a philosophy of Kaizen which is the practice of continuous improvement in all aspects of life, making small, ongoing changes for significant long-term results. This process can be started anytime and does not need to be restarted every January.
Some of the athletes I work with set goals at all times of the year, whilst we make their athletic plan for the upcoming season and races. Some of their main goals will have been set in September or October. They will be working through that plan and refining as we go.
I have clients, who I know, are not in the right space to be expending energy on starting something new or even thinking about ‘what’s next’ or ‘where do I want to be in 6 months’. The clients’ health and fitness (the sets and reps) are important to us and that is often why people seek our services, but the more time I have spent with clients and customers (20 years plus!) the more I understand the importance of seeking to understand them and help them beyond the sets and reps, and that includes knowing when they are ready to make change.
2. Different cultures and philosophies operate renewal and resetting at different times of the year. For example, Nordic customs have traditionally been to use the deep winter months of December and January to reflect, to prepare and to preserve energy in the cold dark months and Chinese Medicine advocates that we rest, let go and quietly prepare for resetting and releasing our energy for new things in the Spring.
I am not at all saying that we should not be goal setting or that goal setting is not a highly useful exercise and tool for improvement. For many, every New Year may be the perfect time to reset and embark on new things and looking to improve our health and to personally develop are areas we encourage anyone to do.
As with everything we do at George Coaching we believe and apply an individualised approach to goal setting/resetting/setting intentions. We meet our clients and prospective clients where they are currently at and help them discover when, how and why to set any ‘new’ goals.
Paula