Resolutions & Goals for 2012

The New Year is the perfect time to set goals. We’ve all done it and I would venture we’ve all failed at reaching them. Well, here we are again! Remember that the definition of insanity is expecting change by continuing to do the same things we’ve been doing. I know that quote isn’t exact, and I’ve seen credit for the statement given to 3 or 4 different people. Who knows? I don’t care who said it originally, or exactly how it was worded. But, to get change, something MUST be changed!

In his book What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School, author Mark McCormack tells about a question that was asked of the 1979 class of Harvard MBA students. "Have you set clear, written goals for your future and made plans to accomplish them?" Three percent of the students had written goals and plans, and thirteen percent had goals in mind, but had never bothered to write them down. Eighty- four percent had no goals at all.

Ten years later the same students were contacted. The thirteen percent who had goals were, on average, earning twice as much as the eighty- four percent who had no goals. The three percent who had specific written goals were earning, on average, ten times as much as the other ninety-seven percent all added together.

Ten years ago I made a written list of things I wanted to be, do, or have. I get the list out periodically to check my progress. It’s fun to see how many of these I can check off as completed. I still have many goals to reach. Some are no longer important to me because of situational changes. Over the next couple of days, I will update my goal list with additional goals.

Using the Internet as a source of goal-setting tips and techniques, there is no reason why you shouldn’t start now.  Some of the most practical tips I’ve gathered include: Make your goals possible – you’ll probably be disappointed if you set a goal to lose 50 pounds by the weekend! Make your goals measurable – How will you know you’ve reached your goal if it’s something like “make more money this year;” one cent more is more money, right? Have a deadline for your goals – It’s easy to start “tomorrow.” I’ve found one of the best tips is to have small goals leading to the larger goal. An example would be to lose five pounds by March 30, another five by June 30, etc. rather than to just say you’ll lose twenty pounds by the end of the year.

Put your goals into writing today! I fully expect you to be contacting me in a couple of years, telling me you are at the perfect weight, have millions in the bank, and are living the life you’ve always dreamed of. 

I’ll let you know where to send my check!