Life is full of choices, and the principles and resolutions that we hold onto shape these choices and define who we are. Our commitments are what connect us to people and are what allow us to love and inspire others. You look up to your heroes because of the resolutions that make them who they are. Your resolutions don’t just shape you or the people around you but also the organizations you are a part of. As a leader, the principles that you live by will be felt throughout your organization.
Here are the five key resolutions that will allow you to live your best life.
- I resolve to know and live my values
Our core values are central to who we are. These values are the ones that we will move heaven and earth to uphold. They are timeless and act as a personal compass to guide us through difficult situations and help us make decisions that genuinely resonate with who we are. Finding, understanding, and staying true to these core values is the foundation of a fulfilling life.
While there might be times when we slip up, our values are only ours if we truly commit to living them. But to start, we need to identify and select our core values. Our Values are what make us tick. When you figure out what is most important to you, you figure out your Values. While there are many reflective questions through which we can identify what is most important to us, through years of teaching this system to people around the world, I have created a comprehensive framework to identify your Values which is available at www.valuesworksheet.com.
- I resolve to know the people around me to serve them at the highest level
People are at the heart of everything we do, whether in our personal or professional lives. These people don’t just shape our lives and relationships but also shape who we are and who we become. Understanding the people around us and building meaningful relationships with them allows us to create a foundation of trust, empathy, and mutual support that enriches our lives. When we know the dreams, goals, and potential of our friends, family, and colleagues, we’re better equipped to serve them— to encourage and uplift them.
When you serve the people around you at the highest level, you become a part of their journey. You begin to care about their success, and in turn, they support you through your challenges and celebrate your victorys. The journey of life is best enjoyed when shared. By taking the initiative to truly understand, support, and serve those around you, you lay the foundations for a community of resilience, compassion, and shared purpose.
- I resolve to embrace the philosophy of “It’s All of Us”
A big part of serving those around you at the highest level is to commit to a mindset of collective success. When you adopt the philosophy that “If you fail, I fail; only if you succeed, do I succeed,” you build an environment where everyone is uplifted and encouraged to reach their best. Your family, your friends, your colleagues no longer feel alone. They know that you have their back and that you are as equally invested in their success or failure as they themselves are.
This creates a sense of safety and support that can push those around you to grow, even in moments where they might feel afraid or apprehensive because they know that you are there to help catch them if they fall. And as always, when someone feels supported and celebrated by you, they will naturally begin to support and celebrate you, creating a cycle of growth.
- I resolve to fully live “My Word is My Bond”
In a world where words can sometimes feel empty, holding yourself accountable for your promises is incredibly powerful. Especially as a leader, it makes you a person of integrity, someone others can trust and rely on. When you consistently and constantly follow through on the commitments that you make, people around you see you as someone who stands by their word— someone whose word is their bond. This creates a culture of accountability where dependability and trust are valued and upheld.
When you hold yourself to your word, the people around you know they can depend on you and will be inspired to do the same. It encourages a ripple effect, where team members feel inspired to follow through on their own promises, knowing that the same expectation applies to everyone. By embodying this principle consistently, it becomes the norm for your people.
- I resolve to commit to sound financial principles
Whether in personal life or business, the way someone handles their resources speaks a lot. Especially given how your decisions affect not just you but the people around you, i.e your family or colleagues, being able to responsibly make use of your resources and make sound financial decisions is crucial. Making sound financial decisions shows discipline, foresight, and respect for what you have.
When people around you see that you value what you have and make thoughtful choices, it strengthens their confidence in your decisions and encourages them to act responsibly also. Sound financial principles are essential to becoming a leader who safeguards not just their future but also the futures of those around them.
Through living these five key resolutions to their fullest, you begin creating a ripple effect of positive change. These resolutions do not just enrich your journey but also the journeys of those we encounter along the way— we not only become better individuals but also great leaders who inspire others to do the same.
