I grew up on Star Wars.
My family lived in Grants Pass, Oregon, a small community with a charming downtown, family-owned businesses, and one little movie theater. It felt like something straight out of Stand by Me.
I still remember when my brother and I went to the Rogue Theater for the first time. We had our popcorn, our sodas, and then it began. The scrolling text appeared, followed by that iconic music. Darth Vader and R2D2; it was all bigger than life. It was marvelous. We sat through the rest of that early trilogy together, and I remember wanting to embody the courage, strength, and determination of the characters. (And yes, I might have had a crush on Han Solo.)
So when Yoda came along and told Luke, “Do. Or do not. There is no try,” I took that to heart. I believed it, literally. And for the remainder of my teen and young adult years, I wholeheartedly believed that there was no grey area. You either do something or you don’t.
Resolutions, Promises, and the Power of the Brain
As I got older, I began to question this mantra. What was Yoda actually saying? Did Luke become a Jedi on his own? Did he succeed without trying and failing, again and again?
Absolutely not, I realized. He failed – many times. And he had help. As my viewpoint shifted, that quote became about commitment, a mindset that says, “Keep going.”
After all this time, I realized that the true message is about committing to doing something imperfectly, but sticking to it nonetheless.
This time of year, many of us turn to resolutions to make our desired commitments a reality. The tradition of resolving to do something in the New Year actually dates back 4,000 years to the ancient Babylonians, where people made promises to their gods. I like the word “promise” better. A promise feels hopeful. A resolution can feel rigid. Black and white. Do, or do not.
Support Your Goals with Tools That Work
The truth is that action (or non-action) is deeply tied to our executive skills. And those skills are powered by predictable brain processes that can be learned and adapted.
If you’re heading into 2026 with a resolution (or a promise), here are a few tips to make it more doable and more brain-friendly:
- Write it down. (I do this in my Seeing My Time® Planner.)
- Create an actionable plan. It’s really true that “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”
- Break your resolution into small steps and estimate how long each will take. I like to use sticky notes.
- Start at the finish line and work backward. Yes, more sticky notes!
Our planner is a great place to begin reaching your goals. And if you’d like more support, we’re here. You can check out our group and private sessions, or join one of our professional courses beginning January 12th. Regardless of whether you’re focused on personal growth or helping someone else, you don’t have to go it alone.
“Do. Or do not.” The choice is yours. With knowledge and support, real change is possible.
So, what’s your plan for 2026?
