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2025 New Year Resolutions, With A Twist

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Education & Training with Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals.

“Surround yourself with people who challenge you, teach you, and push you to be your best self.”  -Unknown

Many years ago, in a leadership program, I had an assignment to ask various professional and personal contacts to describe me. It was very interesting to see how different people perceived me based on my role in their life. While I was remembering that experience, it got me to thinking...

Since it is the time of year many of us are contemplating New Year's Resolutions, what do you think about the idea of asking your trusted friends and/or family to suggest some resolutions and goals for you? While it may seem unconventional and even intimidating, it could be an interesting experience. 

Here is a way to approach friends or family with the idea:
"As the New Year approaches, I’ve been thinking about ways to grow my business and improve myself. Since you know me well, I’d love to hear your perspective. Are there any strengths you think I should build on or areas where I might improve? Your feedback would mean a lot to me!"   

Now that I am retired, I don't do much in the way of setting goals anymore. I just like to make the most of every day.  I like the idea of lifelong personal growth and improvement, though.  So, as the New Year approaches it is natural to reflect on things I might be able to change in my life. And, as I get older I am more aware that my time on this Earth is getting shorter. I want to make the most of the time I have left.

Not everyone can offer up suggestions in a kind manner, so be careful who you invite to participate in this experiement.

Why not give it a try? You might just find that their suggestions lead to your best year yet!

Posted by

Carol Williams

"Information is FREE.
Knowledge, Experience & Integrity Are Priceless."

- Carol Williams

Retired: Real Estate Broker/Owner, Property Manager 
Coaching, goal setting, and marketing consultant

Active: Golf & Travel Blogger
"Golf isn't a sport. It's a lifestyle."
SeniorWomenGolfers.com
TopTeamCarol@gmail.com
 

Whatever You're Doing, Make It Fun!



Comments(18)

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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Carol - I haven't made New Year's resolution for a number of years.  That said, I am bookmarking your post to see how others comment, maybe I'm missing something.  After all, that's always a possibility, right?  Over the years, I have considered many different opportunities for self-reflection.  

Dec 31, 2024 02:40 AM
Carol Williams

Hi Michael,
I have a few things I want to do this year but I'm not realizing classifying them as resolutions.... more like "it would be nice if..."  LOL 

Dec 31, 2024 06:55 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Carol. Like you I am retired. My expectations for 2025 are simple. More time reading and more time with my grandkids. The rest will take care if itself. Enjoy your day.

Dec 31, 2024 04:06 AM
Carol Williams

Eat, sleep, golf for me Wayne Martin. 😂

Dec 31, 2024 06:55 AM
Sham Reddy CRS
Howard Hanna RE Services, Dayton, OH - Dayton, OH
CRS

I like these ideas Carol, thanks for sharing. I like this the best. Happy New Year 2025

New Year's Resolutions, what do you think about the idea of asking your trusted friends and/or family to suggest some resolutions and goals for you? While it may seem unconventional and even intimidating, it could be an interesting experience. 

Dec 31, 2024 04:15 AM
Carol Williams

Hi Sham,
It will be interesting to see if anyone does this. 😊

Dec 31, 2024 06:57 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Very interesting idea to ask others to make suggestions. You have to be ready to hear what they say! It might be eye-opening.

Dec 31, 2024 05:02 AM
Carol Williams

Exactly, Kat Palmiotti 
As I tell the kids, "Don't ask any questions you don't want my honest answer for." 😂

Dec 31, 2024 06:58 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Carol... while I'm not retired, I don't make new year resolutions or business plans. When I retired from the corporate world in 1989 I promised myself never to do another plan. And somehow I've managed to "survive" and keep moving ahead!

Dec 31, 2024 05:31 AM
Carol Williams

I'd say you've "survived" quite well, Nina Hollander, Broker 
I used to be a goal setter but now I'm mostly a do whatever strikes my fancy kind of gal.

Dec 31, 2024 06:59 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Carol Williams isn't it much more fun to be a "whatever strikes your fancy kind of gal," Carol? Happy New Year's Eve.

Dec 31, 2024 01:09 PM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Here is a poem to go with the post:

A Poem: Reflections for the New Year

As the year turns, a time to pause,
To reflect on life, its beauty, its flaws.
Resolutions, whispered or boldly declared,
Dreams to fulfill, ambitions to be dared.

What if this year, we took a new path,
Invited others to share in the math?
"Tell me your thoughts," we might bravely say,
"What strengths should I nurture? What habits delay?"

From trusted friends, whose voices ring true,
Their insights might shape what we dare to pursue.
Yet tread with care, for not every soul,
Knows how to be kind as they weigh in your goals.

For some, like me, whose goals now are few,
The aim is simple: make each day new.
Retired from striving, yet not from the quest,
Of growing, improving, and living my best.

With each passing year, the clock does remind,
That time is a treasure, fleeting, unkind.
So why not embrace this experiment bold?
Let loved ones’ ideas turn silver to gold.

Perhaps their wisdom, a fresh point of view,
Might lead to a year that’s remarkably new.
As the New Year dawns, let’s welcome the chance,
To reflect, to refine, and together advance.

Dec 31, 2024 07:21 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

This is a creative concept, Miss Carol Williams 

It may be very fitting for some people. 
It is not something for me. 


My friends who are close to me and know me well already tell me when they think I am being a "Karen" or when they appreciate how I manage things. 

Happy New Year 🍾🥂

Dec 31, 2024 08:52 AM
Carol Williams

Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist 
I know that would be true of you! 😊

Dec 31, 2024 12:07 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Carol and Now I want to call the first person I can thing of now to call and ask them to describe me.  No one there.  Make it a Great New Year Eve.

 

Dec 31, 2024 10:31 AM
Carol Williams

Let me know how that works out for you, Will Hamm. 😊

Dec 31, 2024 12:07 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Hi Carol it was quite common as a broker for me to offer up suggestions as to 'goals' for agents and it was always appreciated (at least that was the feedback).  I think stating ideas in a positive, helpful way is key to it being accepted and actually asked for by someone!  As for moi, my major goal is to gain my strength back and that's something I am working on daily now. I'll be so happy when I can finally walk normal again!  YES!

Dec 31, 2024 11:04 AM
Carol Williams

I imagine you did quite a few of those sessions, Anna "Banana" Kruchten 

Dec 31, 2024 12:07 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Just a few.......💡

Dec 31, 2024 12:15 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Carol no way am I doing that.  The responses I would get would not be pretty ....... LOL

Dec 31, 2024 01:11 PM
Kathy Streib

George Souto I don't believe that for one minute!!!

Dec 31, 2024 06:20 PM
Carol Williams

George Souto 
Like Kathy Streib said, I don't believe that either!

Jan 01, 2025 04:52 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Carol- interesting concept. You definitely gave to choose who you ask wisely. And, you have to be willing and ready to accept hearing things you may now want to hear. 

Dec 31, 2024 06:23 PM
Carol Williams

Right, Kathy Streib 
I think most of us know what we need to change, we just don't want to hear it from others. 😂

Jan 01, 2025 04:53 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Stopping by this morning Carol to say Happy New Year to you with our warmest wishes as we welcome 2025!

Jan 01, 2025 06:22 AM
Carol Williams

Thank you so much, Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400. And, to you as well.

Jan 01, 2025 06:32 AM
Abby Stiller
TOP SELLING REALTY - Cape Coral, FL
SW Florida (239) 284-8637

This is definitely an interesting idea Carol Williams I might give it a try! Happy New Year!

Jan 01, 2025 09:43 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Let's make every day a special day this year as we continue to spread love and kindness. 

This may contain: fireworks are lit up in the night sky with happy new year's eve message

Jan 01, 2025 10:39 AM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

I already have my plans and goals for 2025. The difficult part will be fleshing them out and pushing through distractions and barriers that may arise.

Jan 01, 2025 10:40 AM
Patricia Feager
Flower Mound, TX

Carol Williams - When I was employed in HR we hired a third party service company to conduct 360-Degree Assessment. It was similar to your idea. Third Party Services selected several peers and/or colleagues to assess one employee's strengths, weaknesses and there were other categories. When the assessments were completed, the employee met with their Direct Report and received the anonymous results. What I remember about my own assessment was some of what I perceived were my weaknesses were actually what others considered my strengths or vice versa. It was very information and helpful. Then, after having a one-on-one the Direct Report met with me, the employee to create my own strategic planning and goals for next year and we both signed my commitment.  

Jan 01, 2025 05:43 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Carol:

This reminds me of my days in corporate HR at the annual employee performance review time. I used to ask those I managed (at one point 9 employees) what they felt I could improve. I don't make formal resolutions and haven't for years.

Jeff

Jan 03, 2025 05:10 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Carol Williams ,

I'm so glad that Dennis Neal re-blogged your post as I missed it with everything goin on New Years Day! Loved how you try and make the most of each day..I'd say you are doing a great job of it!

Jan 04, 2025 07:44 AM