Birthday Resolutions
After 29 years of living, I realized that I have a pattern. I actually recognized it earlier, like 28, 27.5 but you know, for this birthday reflection we’re going to round up…
I realized that I don’t finish things. I don’t finish things that are personal ventures. If it’s a project for a client, company, or someone else, I push through, but when it’s my own thing, I kind of let it slip away.
It’s really easy for people who are interested in everything and good at a lot to get distracted. I finally recognize and take ownership of that tendency. I’ll have 20 ideas and try to pursue five or six at the same time, but that’s not sustainable. In my mind, I only chose a few so I’m doing pretty well, in reality, it should only be one goal at a time, do it really well, and use that momentum to move onto the next goal.
Upon reflecting on this wonderful life of mine, I noticed a secondary pattern. I create birthday resolutions. Most humans have New Year's resolutions, but not I. After all, my life does center around me…not the sun. Even with that amazing logic, these birthday resolutions have led to interesting patterns of very eager personal projects that fizzle out as the year goes by.
In 2016, I started a new job just after my birthday. In 2018 I started an e-commerce site just before my 26th birthday. In 2020, I registered my LLC just before my birthday. In 2021, I started Ronke Rants (sort of). PATTERNS!
The good thing about this is that I do take formidable first steps at the start of each new year of Ibironke. I don’t ever plan to change this tendency. The not-so-good news is that many of these actions aren’t consistent. I no longer have the e-commerce store that I started back in 2018. I still have the LLC, but I haven’t actually put it to good use yet. Why?
Focus. It truly is a lack of focus in a world with so many options. In the Eddie Murphy episode of Comedians Getting Coffee in a Car, Eddie and Jerry touch on this. They talk about how our generation doesn’t have as many “greats” because there are so many options. Even though I’m not always the biggest fan of the boomer generation, I can’t really argue with that sentiment.
A lack of focus is the biggest enemy of progress. It’s tough to admit that you’re one of those people, but honesty with yourself is necessary for true personal development.
Despite my tendency to focus on a little too much, I’ve had some amazing achievements, I’m proud of myself, but I can have more, I can do more now that I’m actively working towards intentional focus.
That’s why 2021, year 29 is a little different for me. I am finally calling attention to the only flaw I have (smiles in sarcasm). I have been intentional about introducing daily habits back into my life slowly, one at a time. The other thing that I’m doing this year that’s a little different is that I will appreciate other people’s thoughts and suggestions regarding my life, but I’m not letting that change my current focus.
I’m being careful of what suggestions I take in, if it doesn’t align with my current goal, it’s not relevant. Period.
