OK, about one week to go so it’s time to talk about New Year’s Resolutions right?

Personally, I used to take the position that these resolutions were somewhat lame, like that friend of yours who keeps saying he’s going to quit smoking and never does. Or that other friend who keeps promising to lose 20 pounds every January. Only now, it’s 40 pounds because he hasn’t made it
happen yet, and for every year that goes by he adds another 10 instead.

I’ve gotten older now though, and of course a little wiser. And as a result I’ve learned to take the new year as an opportunity for growth and reflection. A time to be grateful for what I have, and for the opportunity to accomplish even more.

In the past, the whole New Year’s Resolution project seemed to be so lame because it’s one thing to set goals, and a whole different thign to actually accomplish them. And since most people never follow-through, why so much emphasis on these resolutions?

I’ve realized over the years that either way, they’re important, because even setting goals is a step in the right direction. And you can only accomplish what you want to in life by ‘chunking things down.’ Taking one step at a time and making sure that each step is a good one, firmly planted into the ground ( or into the ice and snow). Because one step leads to the next and before you know it, you’re running again. And once you start to run, your heart begins to sing the sweet song of victory.

One other very important insight I’ve had over the years about New Year’s Resolutions is that it’s important to keep them simple. I have found that if I set just a few global pursuits in action that many of the ‘little things’ that I also want to accomplish tend to fall into place.

So, here are my goals for this year in no particular order of importance…

1. Get more sleep
2. Implement Ruthless management of my time
3. Develop my skills as an expert copywriter
4. Practice more yoga

That’s it. And I look forward to taking the first step right now. I was out on the ice yesterday for two hours with my kids – they got new ice skates from Santa. I’m sore and I need some yoga.

I would love to hear from you about your goals and how you plan to pursue them.

And remember, you can always accomplish more with a coach. So, if you can afford one, find a good one and order up some accountability. A little bit of that goes a long way.

Happy New Year!

John