Another year, another bumper sticker: May your bad luck last as long as your New Year's resolutions.

Many of us had bad luck last year and so I hope that this bumper sticker applies to us. But then again, some of us had bad luck because we did not stick to last year’s resolutions.

I wonder, why do New Year's resolutions seldom stick around longer than the hangover created at the same time? Is it because our resolutions are unrealistic, the implementation too painful, or our memories conveniently faulty?

Here’s what I think. New Year's resolutions don't stick because the act of making the resolution has more significance than the resolution itself. We put too much meaning into making a resolution and too little resolution into our actions.

Today holds less ritualistic pressure than the first of the year. Time to rework your resolutions. Put less emphasis on symbolic intention and more on resolute action.

BUT what if you are not sure what action to take resolutely? Then weave with purpose. Let me explain.

Have you had the opportunity of watching a drunk struggle his way home? Well, I recently watched something similar - a guy with a metal detector combing an early morning beach. I was standing on a balcony which gave me a bird’s eye view of his progress. As I watched I realized something interesting.

Have you ever watched a guy working a metal detector? And have you watched a drunk working a side-walk? Did you notice something interesting? Correct! Both weave, but one zig-zags all over the place, while the other one weaves with purpose.

That’s exactly the strategy you should adopt this new year - weave with purpose.

Many organizations are punch drunk, zig-zagging and stumbling about. The risk is that they will seek stability by developing rigid plans with inflexible strategies. But things are simply too uncertain for that to work.

Better for you to be clear on the outcome you want and then to weave with purpose.

Feedback? If you think I'm weaving a little too much nonsense, please tell me - james@nonsenseatwork.com

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© 2009 James Henry McIntosh - All rights reserved