On settin New Year's Resolutions !

New Year’s resolutions have long been associated with habit formation, mindset shifts, and heightened self-awareness. While they can serve as a catalyst for change, the key lies in adopting resolutions that lead to gradual, sustainable growth rather than fleeting transformations.

As someone in their late 50s who has been setting resolutions for decades, I’ve come to appreciate the wisdom that comes with experience. This year, 2025, I’ve chosen to focus on consistent self-reflection and incremental improvement. My goal is to move away from the unrealistic expectation of immediate results and embrace a mindful approach that builds on what has worked while addressing areas for growth.

The process begins with ownership of past actions, acknowledging both successes and failures, and recognizing opportunities for improvement. Self-improvement is a lifelong pursuit, filled with continuous learning and small victories that deserve celebration. By making these changes, the journey itself becomes just as rewarding as the destination.

The Power of Small, Incremental Changes

Rather than listing popular resolutions for 2025, I want to highlight the importance of small, consistent changes. These transformations are more likely to be sustainable and long-lasting. Moreover, today’s emerging technologies have made it easier than ever to set and achieve innovative resolutions. These tools offer personalized insights, data-driven recommendations, and support to address specific goals such as health, well-being, and financial planning.

How Technology Supports Resolution Success

In my personal journey, I’ve integrated several technologies to help sustain a healthy lifestyle and achieve my goals. Here are some examples of tools and practices I’ve adopted:

1. Smart Devices for Health Monitoring
   Upgrading my smartwatch has allowed me to track activity levels, sleep patterns, and other health metrics. This data helps inform my goals and monitor progress effectively.

2. Apps for Lifestyle Changes
   I’ve subscribed to apps that:

   • Track intermittent fasting.

   • Offer discounts on self-care classes.

   • Provide access to customized podcasts that align with my personal growth journey.

3. AI-Powered Coaching
   Chatbots and virtual assistants act as my personal coaches, reminding me of my goals and offering tailored guidance.

Examples of Tech-Enabled Resolutions

Here are a few examples of how technology can facilitate innovative resolutions:

• Mindfulness Practice: Apps offering guided meditations and breathing exercises for mental well-being.

• Nutrition Tracking: Diet apps that scan food labels and provide tailored dietary recommendations.

• Sleep Optimization: Wearables that monitor sleep quality and suggest improvements for better rest.

• Remote Fitness Classes: Online platforms providing access to workout classes for all fitness levels.

• Sustainable Living Goals: Apps tracking carbon footprints and offering tips for eco-friendly living.

Setting Realistic and Achievable Goals

When setting resolutions, it’s crucial to align goals with individual needs and limitations. The journey is not just about achieving milestones but also about appreciating small victories along the way. However, as we embrace technology, we must remain mindful of data privacy and take steps to protect personal information.

2025 Resolutions: Emerging Trends

As societal values evolve, resolutions in 2025 reflect a greater focus on well-being, sustainability, and purpose. Here are some trending areas:

1. Sustainability and Eco-Conscious Living

2. Mental Health and Wellness

3. Digital Detox and Tech Mindfulness

4. Personal Development and Lifelong Learning

5. Health and Fitness with a Twist

6. Financial Wellness

7. Community Engagement and Volunteering

8. Creative Pursuits and Hobbies

9. Travel and Exploration

Final Thoughts

Resolutions are not just about ticking off a checklist but about embarking on a journey of purposeful growth. By focusing on small, meaningful changes and leveraging technology as a partner, we can create a future that’s not only fulfilling but also deeply aligned with our values and aspirations. And most importantly, let’s celebrate every step forward, no matter how small it may seem.

Commencement Speeches

I am a big fan of commencement speeches and every year I look forward to the University Graduation season. Yes, most of them follow one or two common speech templates. However, once in a while they think out of the box and present a brilliant commencement speech. I consider these speeches to be aimed at not only the current generation of students, but also at all of us who consider ourselves as lifelong students. Below are some of my favorite commencement of speeches for you to watch and enjoy!

Good Commencement Speeches of 2014:

Fareed Zakaria addresses the Class of 2014 at Sarah Lawrence College

Best Commencement Speeches Ever:

Stay Hungry and Stay Foolish by Steve Jobs

Stephen Colbert Salutes U.Va.'s Class of 2013

Conan O'Brien's 2011 Dartmouth College Commencement Address

Penn's 2011 Commencement Address by Denzel Washington

Ellen at Tulane Commencement 2009

Salman Khan at Rice University's 2012 commencement

Human Spark

I am a big fan of Alan Alda. I don't know how many of you know of him. He is a famous Hollywood actor, and famously known for his role in television show M*A*S*H* (1972-83).

Even though I like his acting, I am fan of Alan Alda not because of it, rather because of his intellectual curiosity. I used to watch his shows on PBS few years ago, Scientific American Frontiers, liked them very much (1993-2005). Alan Alda now has another new show on PBS, called "The Human Spark". I heard about it on the NPR radio few days ago. I watched episode of new show today, and I wasn't disappointed.

I recommend this show to everyone who share mine and Alan Alda's inquisitiveness about the world we live in.

Here is an excerpt from the latest episode - "Brain Matters'



You can catch full episodes from PBS website: The Human Spark

Flash Mob

I recently came across great examples of Flash Mob events. One of my colleague mentioned about a T-Mobile ad that was created at Liverpool Street Station in London. I am very familiar with this train station as our office is nearby and spent many hours at this station.

T-Mobile ad at Liverpool Street Station – Dance Event :


This peaked my interest in these kind of events and came across other great events organized by T-Mobile and others.

T-Mobile ad at Trafalgar Square in London – Sing Along:


Brussels Train Station – Dance Event (Do Re Mi):


My interest turned to New York, as my wife said, how come no one does such events in New York (US in general)!? I started searching and I came across, "No Pants Subway Ride" in New York. I will be honest, in the beginning I didn’t think much of it. I dug little more deep and found that the event is organized by a group called ‘Improve Everywhere (IE)’. Youtube has plenty of videos of the events conducted by IE. I started to like IE, and I can appreciate what they are trying to do, which is to liven up busy day to day routine life.

Some of my favorites include:

Frozen people in Grand Central Terminal:


Human Mirror:


If you liked what you have read above and liked what you have watched (hopefully, through the links provided), then you have a chance to take part in one of the annual events. Sunday, January 10th IE is conducting their annual event of ‘No Pants Subway Ride’. At the least take your family/friends to New York for a Subway ride on 10th, but don’t tell them anything about the planned event.

No Pants Subway Ride - 2010

More Links:

imroveverywhere.com
Improve Everywhere - Wikipedia