A Personal Constitution: The Way To Make Your Resolutions Stick
From January 1st to the 31st, everyone has big goals for the new year. But most people forget about pursuing them by February.
New Year’s resolutions have really lost their meaning (or perhaps they never really had meaning). They’re often too basic, and are more for sayers than doers. If this year you want to be a doer and accomplish many goals, then it’s time for you to write you own constitution.
Writing a constitution for yourself is more profound than a to-do or life list. It has to do more with the beginning and middle steps and small goals, than the end results. Goal lists are an excellent tool and have their purpose, but you only see the ending, not how to get there.
Personal constitutions are not popular yet, but Dennis McCafferty of USA Weekend mentioned that even actor Will Smith and his family wrote their own constitution, in an interview he did with Will.
So if you want to do something fresh, this article will be your guide. The structure does not follow the US Constitution exactly, so have fun with it, move things around or add more to it. And if you would like; write a constitution with your family as well.
- The Preamble (intro)
First and foremost, figure out the main reasons why you’re writing a personal constitution. Along with your name, this will be the preamble or introduction. For example:
“I, John Doe, am creating this document to establish a happier, more prosperous, and extraordinary life.”
The intro doesn’t need to be long.
Now it’s time for more details. The next ten sections of your constitution will cover various aspects of your life. The reasoning is that the problems in one area of our lives may actually be caused by a completely different aspect. A financial problem could be caused by an attitude problem.
- Section 1: Emotions & Attitude
Think about the aspects of your personality and emotions you shouldn’t change, first. If you’re caring and ambitious then you certainly don’t want to change that.
Now think of the emotions and attitudes you want to change. Perhaps it’s the way you react to certain situations. Do you freak out when things don’t go your way?
Keeping with the John Doe character as a model:
“Section 1
In order to obtain more happiness I must let situations get out of my hands. Instead of freaking out I will step back and observe from afar and piece together why the event occurred.
I will not change my ambition, my honesty, and the way I care for others. I will however, relax my ambition when it’s necessary to live in the moment.”
Think of the way you act around certain people. Reflect on how positive and negative you are and even contemplate how you let other peoples’ emotions affect yours.
- Section 2: Family
It’s usually very hard to change members of your family. They’re your toughest critics and they have to want to change.
Consider what you want for them. Or maybe you even want to start your own family. Do they need wealth, health, happiness, or a home?
“Section 2
I appreciate all that my family has done and still does for me.
I want them to have more happiness, and better wealth. I forfeit my personal gains so that I can assist them when they need me.
I will give them my ears when they need someone to talk to and I will motivate them to achieve a better life alongside me.”
If your family is not happy and prosperous, either will you.
- Section 3 – Career
This is a self-explanatory section. Do you want to change careers? Retire? Fix the career you have or try a new and crazy career?
“Section 3
I no longer want to work dead end jobs. I will find a career in which I feel fulfilled by helping others feel fulfilled.
The career I pursue will also utilize my college degree.”
- Section 4 – Finances
This is on everyone’s minds. Do you need to get out of debt? Pay off loans? Do you want to make a million dollars?
“Section 4
I will pay off the rest of my college loans in 6 months.
I will save $400 every month of the year, or if I can I will save more, with the goal of reaching $5,000 in savings.”
- Section 5 – Charity
Will you donate money, resources, or time?
“Section 5
I will donate 10% of what I earn each month to various charities.”
- Section 6 – Helping others
Charity is not the only way to help others. Every day we can do simple things that will change the lives of others. Simple acts like:
- Giving up your seat to someone standing.
- Holding the door for someone.
- Even smiling to strangers.
“Section 6
I will go out of my way to help others, even if it means I’ll be late to wherever I’m going.
I’ll sincerely compliment others when they’re having a bad day.”
- Section 7 – Fears to face
It is extremely rare for someone to make a resolution to face a fear. With a personal constitution it is mandatory.
Think of fears that are hindering your success, your happiness, or fears that are just wasting your time.
“Section 7
I will face my biggest fear of speaking in public. I will make it a regular part of my occupation once I tackle this obstacle.”
- Section 8 – Health
Instead of just writing “lose weight,” be more specific. Do you need to lose 10 or 20 pounds? Also write down how you’ll go about doing that. With a mile run every day? Better eating habits? Actually using your gym membership?
“Section 8
I do not need to lose any weight, but I will gain five pounds of muscle.
I will do this by running 2 miles a week, and by lifting weights every other day.”
- Section 9 – Knowledge
Besides improving the health of your body, you must always improve the health of your mind.
Reading lots of books from different genres, reading magazines, reading blogs, writing, watching educational shows, and by watching films.
“Section 9
I will seek out the help and advice of a mentor. The mentor does not need to be famous and rich, but must have the success and happiness I desire. I will gain knowledge by listening to what he or she has to say.
I will also read at least one book a month and read articles every day.”
- Section 10 – Enjoyment
Your goals can’t be all work and no play. Include time to spend with family, new fun experiences you’ll try, and hobbies you want to keep.
“Section 10
I will eat at new restaurants or try new foods at the restaurants I frequent.
Once during the year I will spontaneously pick a place to go and head out on a small vacation within the next few days after deciding on the location.”
Your Bill of Rights and amendments
Besides the main sections of your constitution, it’s important to create your own bill of rights and include an area where you can adjust any parts of your constitution.
You can use amendments to fix time frames, change amounts; such as how much money you want to earn or how many pounds you want to lose.
The Bill of Rights will lay out your morals, what you believe in, and even how you let other people affect you. You can write as little or as many as you would like.
“My Bill of Rights
In order to stay on my path towards success and a better life, I will follow these rights and amendments.
1. I will not listen to those who tell me a goal cannot be achieved.
2. I will stand up for what I know is right.
3. I will go against the tide, not with it.
4. I will laugh every day.
5. I will help at least one stranger every day.
Amendment I
I will not seek as much money as I can make, but I will pursue as much happiness from my career as possible.”
Now it’s time to print out your constitution, sign & date it, and put it somewhere you will see it every day.
Then comes the hard part; doing it all.
Please feel free to share any pledges or rights you included in your constitution in the comment section below. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have as well.
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Photo by Thorne Enterprises
7 Responses to “A Personal Constitution: The Way To Make Your Resolutions Stick”
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As always, great posts Andrew!
This’ll help us set our goals for the year and beyond especially since we don’t believe in a superficial “goal” that most set for the year known as the New Year’s Resolution
Thanks Clint
Yeah, resolutions are nothing until they’re turned into goals.
-Andrew
For the last 6 0r 7 months , Im a regular reader of
of your articles which are really great.Hope you
will provide us with more articles about life
and how to live it.I wish you Good Luck .
Happy New Year 2009.
Hey Shankar,
Thanks so much for leaving a comment. Nice to have as a reader for so long!
Lyved should be providing articles for many years to come.
Happy New Year to you too,
-Andrew
[...] Make New Resolutions: You don’t need to wait for the New Year to make new resolutions. Create goals, and take baby steps each day after work to reach them. With each small step toward your goal, you may feel a sense of renewed focus and accomplishment. [...]
So here I am actually writing out my own constitution for the year 2010 on New Year’s Eve morning after meditating on what I wanted to get done thinking (man, a personal constitution… I’m clever). Then being curious I decide to go ahead and just google “writing a personal constitution” and here we are!
Glad to know I’m not going too far off the deep end!
“Give me a stock clerk with a goal and I’ll give you a man who’ll make history… and give me a man without a goal and I’ll give you a stock clerk.” – James Cash Penny (J.C. Penny)
Hi,
Thanks for stopping by! There are a lot of people who write their own constitutions. I hope it helps you out. And thanks for sharing this great quote!
-Andrew