Author: Paul Male, TAB Facilitator in Derby and the East Midlands
As we come to the end of January, many of us will no doubt be reflecting on how the first few weeks of 2022 have turned out. We exited 2021 with hopes that 2022 will see an end to Covid, but also with some uncertainty…would we start the New Year with another enforced lock-down?
So far, so good, on the lockdown front. For many though, it’s still far from plain-sailing and I wouldn’t mind betting a few unforeseen hurdles have already presented themselves this year, and for some, perhaps your plans or New Year’s resolutions have already been nudged off cours
We have an obsession in the UK with setting New Year’s resolutions and pledging to change things for the coming year, often making bold commitments ‘to do’ or ‘not do’. These often feel binary in nature, and consequently, are often far too easy to break or fail at. As soon as you miss that target or the high bar you set yourself, it can feel like out and out failure.
I’m not for one minute suggesting we shouldn’t be challenging ourselves to be better than we were last year, or not be ambitious and target-driven, but what I am suggesting is that we change how we characterise not achieving that said target or goal, at the first sign of things veering off track. Do we automatically consider that a ‘failure’ or a ‘broken’ New Year’s resolution, or do we give ourselves the opportunity to reflect and reset again?
Those of you who have ever used precision machinery or equipment will no doubt be familiar with the fact that these often need recalibrating or resetting at regular intervals, to ensure that they’re operating as intended and working within desired tolerances. Over time, or through overuse or harsh operating environments, the equipment can become ‘out of check’ and needs to be reset or recalibrated.
It should really come as no surprise then, that the same things happen to us mere mortals, particularly when subjected to overuse, or harsh or uncertain operating environments (Covid has certainly created that). Shouldn’t we therefore also be accepting of the fact, that we ourselves, from time to time, may veer off plan and need to recalibrate – particularly given the current climate?
If that is the case, then arguably making a commitment in December that things are going to be a certain way for the next 12 months (when they weren’t for the preceding 12 months) is a flawed concept.
Would it not be better to accept from the off, that some shift or recalibration will be required along the way? A ‘monthly recalibration’ if you will. You can still be as ambitious in your target-setting, but just not as self-damning at the first sign of not reaching the high bar you set yourself in month 1, month 2, month 3…or wherever that blip occurs. Just reflect, take advice and reset.