From Resolutions to Resolve: Turning Intentions Into Impactful Action

Author: Whitney Munro

You don’t need a calendar to know it’s a new year, you can feel the sense of optimism and commitment to self-improvement in the air! Personally, I’ve set plenty of resolutions over the years, achieved some, and forgotten others in the hustle and bustle of life.

Resolutions are easy to make—and easy to fail at—because they rely on excitement and often overlook the daily discipline required to sustain them. It takes more than a goal to manifest bold ideas for innovation, growth, and impactful change.

It takes resolve.

Resolve is the unwavering determination to act, even when the initial excitement wanes. This year, our team at FLEX is focused on resolve as we work to achieve our big vision as a company and help clients to achieve their highest potential too. In case you’re interested in joining us, here’s how we are thinking about our approach.

1. Resolutions Are Ideas; Resolve is a Habit

Resolutions are declarations of intent. They focus on what we wish to achieve but lack the details on how to get it done. Resolve, on the other hand, calls for a course of action.

To hold us accountable at FLEX, we pair our internal goals with commitments to the habits and behavior changes needed to make them happen. In doing so, we can transform vague intentions into focused, actionable plans.

We help clients do the same with our proprietary FLEX360 audit, which gives clients a full picture of their pain points and opportunities, each paired with next steps on how to fix or capitalize on them and recommendations on project management approaches. Without deliberate action and follow-through, a goal is just a daydream.

2. The Power of Consistency

Consistency means showing up day after day, even when motivation is low—or especially when motivation is low. It also means tuning out any temptations to prioritize quick wins over long-term success. At FLEX, we wrote a single North Star objective that keeps us on course and drives our decision-making. When the offer arises for a “quick win” that does not align with our North Star, we can easily recognize it’s not a win at all.

We encourage clients to do the same. Create a North Star objective and create strategies and systems that build toward it over time. Ditch the distractions and don’t look back.

3. Resilience and Adaptability

Life can be unpredictable. We make plans, then employees leave their roles, markets shift, organizational priorities change, pandemics happen. Resolve means staying committed to the end goal while being flexible enough to adapt to challenges and pivot strategies when necessary. It could be a little change, or it could be something big.

We’ve had clients successfully change their organization name and brand identity after a high-profile group emerged in another sector with almost the same name. Their missions were nothing alike, but the name confusion had become a costly distraction.

After much thought and discussion, they determined the mission was far more important than their name. They didn’t give up—instead, they adapted and overcame. FLEX helped them plan and execute a full rebrand without missing a step in their daily operations. We are still in awe of their courage and resolve throughout that entire process.

4. Leadership Through Resolve Resolve has a ripple effect. Incorporating these values into the company culture requires leading by example with consistency, follow-through, North Star focus, and grit. You set the tone for your colleagues and your clients, and it needs to be set every day.

At FLEX, we strive to create a kind and collegial environment that encourages teams to be solutions-oriented and professional. We repeat our guiding principles often, and take the time to explain major decisions so that our teams can clearly see how the choices benefit our larger vision. Does this feel like a grind sometimes? You bet it does. Where do we find time to think about effective internal communication? We don’t find it—we make it.

That is resolve. While resolutions bring hope and possibility, resolve is where the real work happens. It is not always exciting, but it’s always worth it.

‍