We sometimes make resolutions to achieve certain goals. For example, if we are an aspiring writer, we may resolve to become a bestselling author. But achieving that goal is not in our control; it requires the favorable alignment of many factors that we may not even comprehend, leave alone control.
It’s better to make resolutions about what we will do instead of what we will achieve. For example, writing daily is much more in our control than becoming a bestselling author. Still, we might end up making writing daily our goal. And becoming attached to any goal sets us up for demoralization. Suppose on some day an emergency prevents us from writing. That failure will dishearten us — the more we are attached to our goal, the more we will become disheartened. And if we fail repeatedly, we may become so discouraged as to just quit.
It’s best to make resolutions about building habits. If we focus on building the habit of writing daily, then each day we write, we create an inner impression that will propel us to write again. Over time, such impressions will accumulate, thereby putting us on a healthy auto-pilot that will make writing daily easier.
Additionally, even if we can’t write on some day, we won’t be inordinately disturbed because we won’t be craving the ego’s gratification of achieving a goal. We will shake off that lapse as soon as possible, knowing that we still have the opportunity to form the impressions that will transform our mind. Though this inner transformation is discreet, it’s definite. And it will eventually transform our actions and our life at large. Such pragmatic focus on controllables is the import of the Bhagavad-gita’s call to work without attachment to results (02.47).
One-sentence summary:
When making resolutions, focus on building habits, not on achieving goals.
Think it over:
- How can resolving to achieve goals backfire?
- What’s the problem with making a good habit our goal?
- What habit can you resolve to build?
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02.47: You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.
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