Making New Year’s resolutions is a tradition which started over 4000 years ago by the ancient Babylonians, a population living in what was then Mesopotamia, who commemorated the New Year in March when the season’s crops were planted. The 12-day festival known as Akitu was a time for celebration when either a new king was crowned, or loyalty to the existing monarchy was renewed. It was a time for the Babylonians to make certain promises like settling outstanding debts and returning items that weren’t theirs to the rightful owner.
Over the years the interpretation of the tradition has evolved from good-doing to mostly self-improvement but its safe to say many of us still enjoy setting ourselves goals for the impending year. Here at the nest we are no exception to that. I spoke to some of the swans to find out what resolutions they had set themselves and how they planned to stick to them.
Alex’s resolution for 2019 is to run a marathon “Who knows what time it will be and whether I can make it round but there’s only one way to find out!”. Alex alongside some of the other swans is part of the Indigo Swan running club, Ron’s Runners, which started at the beginning of last year. By running as part of a group it helps encourage and motivate each other to go out together for a weekly run around our wonderful city.
There is certainly a ‘running’ theme among the swans with Hannah adding “Last year I started running and stuck to it so this year I have a target to complete six 10k events around Norfolk and Suffolk. I’m doing this with Ron’s runners, so I know we’ll keep each other going and complete our goal by the end of 2019!”
Andrew’s reasoning for not setting any official resolutions I’m sure rings true with a few of us “I haven’t made any official resolutions, as I don’t tend to keep them for very long, but what I want to do in 2019 is get better at everything I already do. I want to be the best ‘me’ I can be, so being a better dad, husband, friend, colleague, or whatever and generally apply myself and focus better than ever before. There is always room for improvement.”
Hannah had very similar thoughts to Andrew “New year’s resolutions are filled with good intentions for the coming year which usually only last for a couple of months. I try not to give myself too many targets but a couple of manageable resolutions which I can stick too.”
Sometimes when we set ourselves too many targets or if we are over ambitious it can be hard to keep our resolutions. Psychologists have found that we are more likely to succeed if we break resolutions into smaller goals that are more specific and time measurable.
Hannah is also looking to read more in 2019 “I love immersing myself in a good book, but I have to say over the past few years my reading has taken a back seat and the TV has taken over. I’m going to make a conscious effort to turn the TV off and pick up a book instead”. I’m with Hannah on this one. I love to read but can get easily distracted and somehow more often than not other things seem to take priority.
Lee Hart said “I love to travel and explore, but I often manage to find excuses when my wife makes suggestions. This year I will make a point of seeing the world…but I think I said the same thing last year.”
As we enter a new year it can be a time for reflection. James mentioned that he wanted to spend more time with his brother and two nephews in 2019 “Life gets in the way a lot when it comes to making sure you make time for everyone and I want to make sure I plan my time better, and spend more time with people I didn’t get to in 2018”.
Lee Ratcliffe will be focusing on his health and fitness during 2019 “Over the last 9 months I have let my physical fitness slip due to a number of factors so I am looking to get back into shape by booking my first climbing class (something I have wanted to do for many years) and also start to jog home a few nights a week. This is something I feel will help me physically and also mentally outside and inside work. I am also going to finally get measured up for some professional earplugs for when I DJ as the risk of tinnitus is so high and I value my hearing too much!”
He added “I have been at Indigo Swan a year on February 1st so I would love to finish 2019 by surpassing my targets set and continuing to expand my knowledge. I am really looking forward to seeing what the revised quarterly targets will be and getting stuck into absolutely smashing them and making my mark.”
Personally, I want to try at least one new thing a month to help break up the routine. It could be exploring a new place, trying a new food, listening to some new music or simply taking up a new hobby. 2019 is going to be the year I push myself even further in everything I do, and I feel super excited for the challenge.
So what New Year resolutions have you set yourself? We would love to hear them, tweet us with your goals for 2019? @indigo_swan
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