Before you make that list of goals, you might ask yourself a question

The late Jimmy Carter was a model for right action

I should have planned to have this post ready sooner rather than rushing to get it edited on New Year’s Eve between the second and third period of the Canada-U.S. world junior game.

But I’m not much of a planner. I’m good at making lists, but there’s a big difference between making lists and making plans.

I’m not that big on setting goals for the year either. I should be, but I’ve failed so often that I don’t bother any more. Through the years, I’ve set goals for losing weight, developing better routines, and reducing my three-putts. Some I’ve achieved, most I haven’t.

One exception was my goal to publish a book in 2024. Got ‘er done.

Most people I know don’t bother with setting goals, or God forbid, making “resolutions.” Been there, done it, ain’t doing that anymore. It doesn’t mean they don’t have some things they want to do or accomplish, but they don’t go around advertising them. Who wants to be asked in February “howzitgoing” resolution-wise?

Resolutions seem so 1984. Rather than focus on achieving short-term results, the social science set have rightly said we should focus more on developing good habits that we can sustain. The results will come with good habits the theory goes.

But if the goals and habits you want to develop aren’t in alignment with how you perceive yourself or the world, you’re not going to meet them. Or you’ll meet them and wonder later why the payoff seemed so unsatisfying.

Jimmy Carter, who died at age 100 this week, is a model of someone who got laudable things accomplished that aligned with his vision of himself. Frankly, I regret that I didn’t pay much attention to Carter who was elected U.S. president in 1977 when I was 20.

Carter knew who he was and what was important, including his faith, family, and helping others, even though his qualities did not align with perceptions of a powerful iron-willed masculine leader, which left him open to ridicule and played a role in his massive defeat in 1980 after one term.

Carter didn’t live up to society’s perceptions of a “success,” but he wasn’t interested in power and prestige, but rather being of service. By all accounts, he was a joyful, humble, hard working and loving man and that was reward enough.

He lived an exemplary life that made a difference to millions around the world. His many humanitarian accomplishments included nearly eradicating the Guinea worm disease, down to seven cases in 2024 from 3.5 million in 1986, and fostering the growth of Habitat for Humanity.

I love Bob Dylan’s description of Carter: “I think of him as a simple kind of man as in the Lynyrd Skynyrd song. He takes his time, doesn’t live too fast, troubles come but they will pass, find a woman and find love, and don’t forget that there’s always someone above.”

Go ahead today and make a list of goals, but my invitation is go a little further and consider what Jimmy Carter determined was a foundation for living a simple life that led to right action that got important things done.

One of his signature lines was: “It’s up to every one of us to make a basic decision: This is the kind of person that I want to be.”

Happy New Year!

Sim Weekly

Dive into the world of indoor golf with Sim Weekly. From setting up your perfect home sim and getting expert installation tips, to in-depth product reviews and practical advice for honing your skills at home, we’ve got you covered. Plus, enjoy fun content, exclusive giveaways, and more. Join 1k+ golfers elevating their indoor game.

Subscribe to Sim Weekly