We all know that most New Year’s Resolutions are broken, and some don’t last very long at all. So how about this year, changing the scenario a little and instead, establish your list of priorities for the things that you have already committed to doing. You might also have a second list, often called your ‘bucket list’ that you hope to do or plan to do some time in the future. Perhaps add one or two things from your bucket list to your 2024 list of priorities.
Setting priorities and making resolutions are in fact related concepts, but they involve different aspects of personal or organizational development. Here’s an overview of the differences between the two and why setting your priorities involves more commitment and is thus more likely to occur!
Nature and Focus:
Setting Priorities involves identifying and ranking tasks, goals, or values based on their importance or urgency. Prioritization is about deciding what matters most and allocating resources (time, energy, resources) accordingly.
In contrast Making Resolutions is often just an intention to achieve certain objectives or adopt new forms of behaviour, rather than a specific commitment. Because of this lack of specificity, resolutions often ‘fall by the wayside’.
Time Frame:
Setting Priorities: Prioritization can be an ongoing process that is flexible and responsive to changing circumstances. It is not limited to a specific time frame and can be adjusted as needed. Because of this lack of specificity, it is not so often disposed of as ‘being too hard’.
Making Resolutions in comparison often has a specific time frame, such as a new year or a specific period. They are commonly associated with the start of something new, like a new year and if they fail early, they are likely to be disposed of.
Scope:
Setting Priorities: Prioritization can be applied to various aspects of life or work, such as tasks, goals, projects, or values. It’s a broader concept that can be used in different contexts. In comparison Making a Resolution is usually more specific and focused on achieving a particular goal, adopting a specific habit, or making a significant change in behavior.
Flexibility:
Setting Priorities: Priorities can be adjusted based on changing circumstances, new information, or shifts in goals. It allows for adaptability and responsiveness to the dynamic nature of life and work.
Making a Resolution on the other hand is usually more rigid and specific, and often requires a more determined commitment. While adjustments can be made, resolutions are typically seen as firm decisions and oddly enough, when not fully met, they are more readily discarded.
Examples:
When you are prioritizing tasks for the day, you need to decide which goals to focus on first and allocate resources to the different projects based on their importance.
When you make resolutions, such as deciding to exercise regularly, committing to learning a new skill, and/or resolving to spend more time with family the lack of specificity and definition allows your good intentions to become just that. They are good intentions without either priority or (usually) any action.
In summary, setting priorities is a broader and more ongoing process of deciding what is most important, while making resolutions is often, especially at New Year, a specific, time-bound commitment to achieving a particular goal or adopting a certain behavior.
Take-away Message:
Both concepts are valuable for personal and professional development, and they can complement each other in creating a well-rounded approach to success. However, a resolution alone and especially one made at New Year is very often unfulfilled. So I suggest that this year you focus on setting your priorities rather than making resolutions.