Honest resolutions provide direction. Appreciating the past, setting goals, and planning for the future guides enthusiasm and sustained action. Along with measured milestones, dare to be different by staying open to things not in the plan. This fluidity helps us avoid the limiting effect of being too rigid.
Think about your last vacation. You locked in travel, accommodations, and an assortment of prepared activities. You basically scripted the adventure. If all goes to plan, you’ll enjoy the trip, but how often does everything go exactly to plan? Almost never, yet the unexpected detours often lead to the best memories.
Extra Shot
Higher the contrast, better the story.
There are times to be stringent, and discipline is useful, but embracing the plot twists of life ensures that perseverance doesn’t become misguided. This is ambitious when control is comforting, but let good habits provide the comfort, with openness to churn goals into surpassing accomplishments.
Brewed From Within
#90 📖 Life & Happiness
3 Comments
Ben McDougal · October 1, 2026 at 12:39 PM
ORIGINAL – 1/3/22
Setting goals and honest resolutions provide a useful purview into what’s next. It’s no secret that appreciating the past and planning for the future can provide a fresh boost during transition times. As this introspective activity warms your thoughts and emotions, joy awaits those who translate such enthusiasm into heartfelt energy that fuels sustained action.
As we look forward, dare to be different by also staying open to things not in the plan. This fluidity helps us avoid the limiting effect of being too rigid.
There are times to remain stringent in order to stay on course, but embracing the plot twists of life ensures that perseverance does not become misguided. Most people like the idea of being a free spirit, but openness can be fleeting, because we find solace by way of control. Think about the last big trip you planned. You locked in travel, accommodations, and maybe even a collection of planned activities. You basically craft a scripted adventure to experience for yourself. If all goes to plan, you’ll surely enjoy the trip, but how often does everything go exactly to plan? Almost never, yet the unexpected detours often lead to the best stories.
Openness laced through different types of short and long-term goals, activated by habits that churn goals into surpassing accomplishment, provides clarifying direction with space left over to welcome serendipity. Letting go to stay open can become a source of anxiety, but the unknown can be an exciting place where possibility allows us to discover what’s next.
Hybridize - BEN MCDOUGAL · January 19, 2022 at 10:58 AM
[…] As we reach the end of this wintry ride, I’m grateful for snow days that provide an unexpected chance to slow down. These cozy times provide us a chance to rest and have some fun, while also reflecting on all that’s good. Cheers to these mini moments chilled in our memories, but also to allowing the freeze to melt as we let thoughts pass and stay open to next. […]
Hole-In-One - BEN MCDOUGAL · May 23, 2022 at 10:05 PM
[…] took 2 small hops, and then smoothly rolled right into the hole. A freakin hole-in-one. (LESSON #5: openness + growth + serendipity = […]
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