DATED – 10th January 2015

For the first time in one year, since I started scripting blogs, I am kind of writing something in continuation with the last time’s blog of ‘Goodness and/or Greatness’. I completed the last blog by writing that let us all have a resolution to become a combination of ‘Goodness’ AND ‘Greatness’.

Making a resolution at start of every year seems to be a norm, isn’t it? At times, resolution is the ‘in’ thing; sometimes I do it because all my friends are making a resolution, most of the times, I say it because I have been yearning to do something, but not able to kick start it just as yet (mahurat nahi aaya!) We do make resolutions every now and then.

On a lighter side, there is a classic saying, which goes – ‘Promises (read Resolutions) are meant to be broken!’ I commit to various things, but not necessarily end up completing them. As the year goes ahead (for some, it is a few days), the resolutions too fade away. By the time the year ends, I forget about the resolutions I made. This got me thinking. Why does this happen? If I have made a resolution, ideally, shouldn’t I be going all out to achieve it? That resolution should never take a backseat; rather, it should be in the driver’s seat all year round.

I have come to a conclusion that – Yes, I want to do a few things. But until I ‘really really want to’ do that thing, I will actually never go ahead and achieve it. I feel that when I say I want to, I am telling myself – even if I don’t do that, it’s acceptable. When I say – ‘I really really want to do it’, I give myself no choice, no escapes, no excuses to not do that which I have decided. That, I think makes all the difference: whether I just ‘want it’ or I ‘really really want it’.

• Do I want to get fit, or do I really really want to get fit and experience no complains from my body?
• Do I just wish to mend some sour relationships, or do I really really want to build on those relationships and have some great moments?
• Do I aim to be number one in my business, or do I really really want to be the leader in my business? This will decide the way I take forward steps in my business.
• Do I simply aspire to get a certain pay package, or do I really really want to get that package, irrespective of the efforts it might need?
• Do I desire to build my marriage, or do I really really want to have such an exceptional marriage that we in turn become an inspirational couple?
• Do I long to become a good teacher, or do I really really want to become such a brilliant teacher that I will be awarded as the best teacher in the country?
• Do I crave to become independent from just household responsibilities and create my identity or do I really really want to move out and do justice to my potentials?

When I ‘just want to’ do things, there are enough possibilities that I might stop at the first speed breaker that comes. However, if I ‘really really want to’ achieve something that I have decided, I might have to slow down at the speed breaker, but go full speed on the clear road ahead.

Vis-à-vis my life –

This is a very important realisation that I have gifted myself. When I look back at my life, there are enough times where I have said something and done it, and at times not done it in spite of promising to. The reason is the same. When I failed to achieve things, I had said it to showoff, due to peer pressure, or to ensure I don’t let someone down. But then I didn’t really really want to achieve that. Hence, I was never able to justify those commitments.

From now on, I pledge to make only those promises, which I really really want to fulfill. Yes, people will clap and appreciate me when I make huge commitments. But, should that be my focus? Instead, my effort should be to make justifiable assurances and then really really want to do it!