We all have vices. We all have flaws. We all have things we know we want to change.

What happens? Nothing happens.

This is true for everyone, even Martin Luther King Jr. “One day,” King said, we tell ourselves, “I’m going to rise up and drive this evil out. I know it is wrong. It is destroying my character and embarrassing my family.”

But then…

At last the day came and you made a New Year’s resolution that would get rid of the whole base evil. And then the next year came around and you were doing the same old evil thing. Can you remember the surprise and disappointment that gripped you when you discovered that…after all that you had done through your resolutions to get rid of it—the old habit was still there? And out of amazement you found yourself asking, “Why could I not cast it out?”

Martin Luther King Jr. accomplished so much because of his ability to rise up and drive evil out. But how much greater could he have been had he been able to purge some of his own evil habits? He was too busy. He had trouble delegating. He ate poorly. He was disorganized. He had affairs.

Seneca reminds us that fools all have one thing in common: They are always getting ready to start. They are always getting ready to change. They are always getting ready to start the diet and exercise program. And then? And then? And then?

They never do. We don’t do the work.

Is that who you want to be? Is that who you are meant to be?

Of course not. Make this the year. This is the year you drive the bad habits out. This is the year you follow through. This is the year you demand the best of and for yourself.