Reading: Time to Stop Procrastinating the Fun

With the beginning of the New Year, there have been many articles popping up giving advice and support to people on making resolutions and keeping them. This article, while not necessarily specific to resolutions, has become the fuel for my newly evolving resolution.

Delaying our own gratification.

It could be just me, but I think we all do this on some level. Think of when you grab that handful of jelly beans (or any other sweet or nosh) with a mix of flavors. I know when I am in this situation, something peculiar occurs: I eat my least favorite flavors first - giving way to the whole concept of saving "the best for last." But why do I [we] do this? Why even grab the least favorite flavors at all? Why do I always end up with a tasty palm full of cherry red jelly beans, when I've already maxed out on the less-pleasant orange and yellow ones? Why didn’t I go for what I wanted first?

While this isn't a direct analogy, I am sure my point is clear. This year, I will not fall back into patterns of waiting for a "better" time to do something I find enjoyable. My self-improvement aspirations also fall into this category. If something comes along that sounds fun and adventurous, I will do it (unless practicalities like financial and time resources do not allow for immediate follow through… in that case I will make a plan for execution – no excuses).

Next time I see that red cherry jelly bean, I will savor it first and leave those pesky orange and yellow beans to stay in the bowl for someone else to consume. Best not waste time and effort on things that I don't want in the first place.

Bring it on 2010. I’m ready for you.

*If the link above does not work, you can find the article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/29/science/29tier.html