Embracing Forward-Focused Celebrations:
A New Year’s Resolution Shift
By Beth Standlee, CEO, TrainerTainment
As we enter 2025, it’s a common practice to make New Year’s resolutions. However, as February is here, these resolutions often feel like a cycle of hopes that quickly fade due to unmet expectations. What if we shifted our approach? You can start over! Instead of making traditional resolutions, let’s shift to forward-focused celebrations that embrace progress and potential.
The Problem with Resolutions
Resolutions, though well-meaning, can tie us to rigid goals – like losing weight or getting a promotion. The issue isn’t the goal itself but the pressure and unrealistic expectations that come with it. Focusing solely on outcomes can lead to disappointment. Outcomes are the result of doing the right things that produce those results. A goal alone can be daunting.
Celebrating Progress
Switching from resolutions to forward-focused celebrations allow us to appreciate ongoing improvement. This approach sees every experience as a chance to learn and values progress in any form. It’s about enjoying the journey, not just reaching the destination.
How to Celebrate Progress
To move away from traditional resolutions, consider these strategies:
1. Recognize Past Achievements: Look back at last year’s successes, no matter how small. This builds a positive outlook and gratitude. I believe establishing a habit of looking at daily achievements helps shift your mindset. We can spend a lot of time agonizing over what was not done and miss the celebrations of the day.
2. Set Intentions Instead of Goals: Intentions promote overall improvement. They’re flexible and can change with circumstances. For example, aim to “live healthily” instead of “exercise daily.” Every year, I create a goal that sounds something like, I’m going to lose 50 pounds. And every year, I gain or lose something less than the goal.
In 2024, I made a commitment to celebrate being stronger and more flexible so that I could travel and get around more easily. Lo and behold, I wound up losing 50 pounds. I focused on strength training and walking, and was mindful, not obsessive, about nutrition. And for the most part, I eliminated alcohol. My intention to be stronger and more able to do all the things I want to do meant more than losing the weight. The weight loss was a nice result but for the first time in a long time it was not the goal.
3. Practice Mindfulness: Being present helps us enjoy the journey. Use mindfulness practices like meditation or journaling to celebrate daily progress. Jotting down just three main priorities of the day (I know your list is longer than that) and mindfully marking off at least three of the most important objectives of the day goes a long way in helping you face tomorrow!
4. Regularly Review and Reflect: Check in monthly or quarterly to see what’s working or not. Celebrate successes and learn from failures to keep improving. I personally use a Full Focus Planner and implement a weekly practice of reflection of the previous week, look at my quarterly objectives that are based on my annual goals, and preview the next week. Daily, I list my top three objectives and usually jot down my daily wins. I can’t say enough about how this tool helps me stay focused.
5. Celebrate Others: Recognize the achievements of people around you. This builds a supportive community. Remember it’s not always all about you. The celebration of others on a regular basis helps you grow too.
6. Plan Celebratory Milestones: Create regular times to pause and celebrate your journey, whether alone or with others. Planning the celebration of achieving your heart’s desire helps when you just don’t want to keep going. Mine is usually looking forward to the next cruise!
A Positive Outlook for the Future
Focusing on celebrations doesn’t mean giving up on improvement; it means valuing achievements and viewing setbacks as learning opportunities. This approach reduces stress and promotes long-term well-being.
Conclusion
As the Party Professor, I aim to inspire joy and growth. Forward-focused celebrations encourage creative living and enjoyment. This year, let’s build a culture of support and celebration.
As 2025 begins, let’s rethink our approach. Swap traditional resolutions for celebrations that focus on flexibility and appreciation. Every step forward is worth celebrating.
This year, prioritize celebrating moments, embracing growth, and living with intention. Here’s to a year of enjoying the possibilities.
Candi Kelley, an experienced coach and the Chief Operating Officer at TrainerTainment, has an in-depth background in growing brands and achieving operational success in the amusement and attractions industry. With over a decade in the field, including building a brand from six to 65 locations and generating $20 million in revenue, Candi uses her psychology and business expertise to help hospitality-focused businesses enhance sales, customer service and productivity. Known for her engaging style and commitment to growth, Candi empowers teams to achieve their goals and thrive in a competitive industry.
