The Firm Resolve of Next

Next time. That is the phase to repeat after each setback, after each failure, after each disappointment. I will do better next time. I will firmly resolve that next time I will improve. This is and should not be a one time occurrence, a singular event after an exclusive moment but rather a daily routine. What do I mean by that?

I mean the firm resolve of next. The built in process that everyday, you resolve to go again the next day but this time do it better than you did before. The firm resolve of next is an attitude, a daily commitment toward self improvement. When the day closes out and you look back on the day and take a moment and realize where you did not do your best, where you went to sleep for a while, were mindless and not mindful you can resolve that the next day you will do better.

Reflecting on your day, and resolving to do better then next day is a tremendous habit to build because the alternative is a string of days of no progress. You see, we often fall asleep and go in to a coma state of repeating day after day, aimless without real focus. We do the time, but are we really improving? By reflection, and course correction on a daily basis you are more likely to actually take the next more seriously.

Constant striving for improvement is an overwhelming concept to those that are completely dead asleep. Meaning, going through the motions because they are, well, just living life one day at a time. The thought of waking up each day striving to better the previous day is overwhelming because it would require you to be active. Anxiously engaged in self improvement on a daily basis. Every morning rising to a passionate drive to improve upon your yesterday self.

Is that possible to have that attitude every day? Well perhaps not at first, but waking up that way a few days in a year as opposed to zero would be an improvement. We all know the feeling. Day 1 of a New Year’s resolution type feeling. You all have been there. I am going to start out and do better starting today! So you know what that emotion feels like. Now imagine doing that more often then just once a year.

Maybe you cannot have the firm resolve of next everyday, but if you did it once a month that would be amazing. Imagine that if you did a few months in a row like that, you could then try to do it every Monday. Yes, everyday is possible, but it takes taking on smaller steps, less frequent periods until you get used to the idea. Then pretty soon, you start to wake up each day more excited then the previous, ready for the next.

You will never be perfect at this, but that is the point! When you have the firm resolve of next, you are willing to forgive yourself and you move on quickly. A small setback means nothing to you, because you know that tomorrow morning you will wake up ready to take on the day again! So if you are trying to get better, work on trying to cultivate this attitude and decrease the frequency of that 1st day attitude. Wake up with a fresh and firm resolve more often then you do now. You will see improvement and you will get better over time.

Guy Reams