Let me start this off by saying that any resolution or goal without a plan is a dream. I believe everything you do should have measurable goals. There is a reason so many people join gyms after January 1st, go for a few weeks then never go back. They knew they wanted to lose weight or get fit, but they failed to make a plan. They failed to plan so they planned to fail.
Decide what it is you want to change, and find out how it’s possible. Write everything down, and keep track of progress. Once you get in the habit of keeping track, it becomes second nature. But you need to make sure you follow through.
Give yourself rewards for hitting your goals and staying focused. It’s OK to cheat, but remember, only for rewards and always in moderation.
Tell your friends and/or family about your resolution. If you keep it to yourself, nobody will know you failed, and your chances of failure dramatically increase. If there are others making sure you stay on track, you’ll be less likely to fail.
Most importantly – Plan ahead and do it NOW! As an example, to stay organized and prepared, I always make my schedule the night before. I write down what needs to be done, how much time I think it’s going to take, taking into account phone calls and meetings. If you know what you’re doing tomorrow, you’ll be better prepared to handle it and to get things done.
Happy 2009!