Paul Huschilt is a certified speaking professional, and an award-winning professional speaker and storyteller who has worked all over the world turning his talents to talks about the importance of stress reduction, using humor as a conduit for connection. He is the author of Awakening the Workplace: Achieving Your Connection, Fulfilment, Success at Work, and The Reluctant Pilgrim: An Incomplete Guide to Walking the Camino de Santiago.
Below he offers a twist on the typical New Year’s resolution. Instead of the typical vow to change something for the better by going out and struggling through something we don’t like—go after something that makes you happy:
If somebody were to track my moods on a chart, there would definitely be a spike on New Year’s Eve. Glass of champagne in hand, party hat on, I look forward optimistically to the new year that lies ahead.
I’m not alone when it comes to loving the changeover from this year to next. The world over, there were city-sized parties to celebrate the fact that 2017 + 1 = 2018.
Most metropolises had live bands, many had parades, and some had their own special ways. Many places were partying all day, but in Reykjavik Iceland where New Year’s Day was only 4 hours long, they partied all night.
In São Paulo, people wore colourful underwear to invite peace (white), love (red) and prosperity (yellow – a more affordable option than gold).
In Copenhagen, home of the reputedly happiest people on the planet, they invoked good fortune too – by jumping high off chairs they shouldn’t have been standing on in the first place. If you’re lucky enough not to break your neck, it’s going to be a good year.
On January first Berliners had a pancake race while the Viennese watched opera on a giant screen in front of city hall. To each their own.
As for me, I got back to business as usual: the art of being a more or less responsible adult.
To do that, I drew up exactly one resolution—not something that would stress me out, but something that I would have fun making happen.
If you choose to have a resolution, might I suggest you don’t pressure yourself to finally check something off the to-do list of life, but rather that you plan something that will make you smile. Choose something you want to do. Choose something that will make a positive difference in your life and/or the lives of others.