#ResolutionsSuck Create a New Year's Hashtag Instead
So like most people this time of year, I've been thinking about the New Year and what my expectations are for myself. These don't normally translate into resolutions. I stopped doing those years ago. I mean, why declare something that you're just going to forget a week later anyway. With that said, I do come up with a generalized list of things I'd like to accomplish for the upcoming year. Past lists have included things like, finish 40 credits, hit a 7 minute/mile pace, do more public speaking, etc.
For 2013, I noticed that I was immersing myself more than ever in hashtag culture. When I say hashtag culture, I'm referring to the use of hashtagged words or phrases as a form of shorthand outside of it's functional use as a way to organize and search messages on social media. Hashtagging has become more than shorthand for me. It has become almost exclusively a way to add a subconscious to my messages. For example, "Hey, haven't seen you in like forever. Let's get together for dinner this week. #missyou". Adding hashtags to my social media blurbs, emails or even a post-it has just become how I express myself. More than once I almost did the hashtag fingers hilariously demonstrated by Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon (See below). I'm not ashamed to say I've had to catch myself more than once almost slapping my peace signs together. #dork
A couple of days ago, I was talking with my boyfriend and as we were discussing what our plans were for next year, I got the incredibly brilliant, amazingly bright idea for us to create our own hashtag. We came up with #winning2014. I know, original right? The point was that everytime we discussed the future, whether via email or facebook, we would use this hashtag. It would be the hashtag equivalent of tying a string around our fingers. A short but sweet reminder to stay the course without having to constantly read a list of everything we want to attain.
What I'm trying to say is, if you're thinking about making a resolution, don't. Make a hashtag instead. You're ability to use it across so many platforms will not only be a constant reminder of your goal, but will create that mental focus you need to achieve it. So for example, instead of telling yourself that you want to lose weight, create a hashtag that says #10lbs2014. The ability to use it in emails or in social media will be a constant and fun reminder to stick to your plan.
To get you started, I took some of the most popular New Year's resolutions and created hashtags for them.
1) Exercise more #getfit2014
2) Do more international travel #aroundtheworld2014
3) Enjoy life #livinglife2014
4) Go back to school #MBA2014
5) Get a new job #movingforward2014
#happynewyear #2014 #resolutionssuck #hashtagmylife #winning2014
