I am so excited. I am going to really do it. I am going to the gym. I am going to lose weight. I am going to eat healthy. I am going to make 10 sales calls a day. I am going to meditate every day. I am going to practice yoga. I am going to read a book a month and learn a new language. I am going to travel. Does this sound familiar?

New Year’s is a time to make resolutions. I do it, everyone I know does it. Gym memberships skyrocket in January. Attendance at networking groups skyrocket in January. People’s mood is high, full of optimism. Underlying it all is a statement we make, it will be different this year. I am going to do x (whatever we are declaring to do) really. And most of us, do have good intentions followed by some actions. Then, little by little, the new action, the new resolution goes by the way side and we begin operating like we did before we made those resolutions.

Why does this happen? We can point to circumstances or poor will power or any number of excuses. However, I think the number one reason New Year’s resolutions don’t work is that we do not take the time to actually get resolved before declaring them.

What I mean when I say actually get resolved is to take the time, and examine, think about all your considerations, all your excuses, all your habits and actions before you decide what you are going to do. Once you resolve each step, then you create a real action plan to fulill on those resolutions.

To make real New Year’s resolutions that work:

1. Decide the area you want to change.
2. What are all your concerns about that area? Write them out.
   1. For each concern, ask yourself, “what do I have to give up or create so that is no longer a concern?’ Only when you have given up whatever you need to or created, can you move to the next concern. Resolve the concern, until it is no longer a concern.
      1. Example=Going to the gym. Concern #1- I have spent tons of money on gym memberships and not gone. I use excuses like not enough time, too busy, weather, etc. How am I going to resolve it. I am going to create a support structure because I am better when I promise someone else than when I promise myself. I hire a trainer and promise to be there. I create a workout buddy that we have an agreement to not let each other slide.
   2. Write out your goals and create a reporting system. You can do this with yourself or a coach. Studies show that a large majority of people never write out their goals and the simple act of writing them down increases success massively. Creating a written reporting system goes beyond and will do more to ensure your success.
   3. Finally, declare your resolutions to as many people as you can. Creating a future that other people are excited about with you, and will ask you about will allow you to be known for that new resolution and new future you are creating.

Thank you for allowing me to contribute to you in this past year and I look forward to the future with you!

I Here is to a happy, successful and fulfilled New Year!