Why you should NOT make New Year's Resolutions!

At the beginning of the New Year is traditionally a time when most people create 'New Year's' resolutions, and decide to change lots of things in their lives that seem to need changing.

I don't do New Year's resolutions! I believe that they are not really worth the time it takes to make them. Lots of people tend to make rash statements like: 'I will go the the gym 5 days a week, I will lose 10 kilos' I'm sure you have heard plenty of them, and by the time the first few weeks of the year have passed the reality of keeping the resolution becomes way too hard,and they get conveniently forgotten.
For me it is much more useful to review the last year in a calm clinical sort of way, and use the information  to come up with a plan for the next year.


Here's where you get the opportunity to create your year, your way, rather than have it created for you by circumstances or people around you.

The Fast Forward Coach, Reflections and Review (R and R)

• List 10 of the best things that have happened for you in the last year.
• What are top 3 accomplishments you are most proud of ?
• List 3 of the greatest lessons you have learnt in the last year?
• 3 ways you have grown personally and or professionally in the last year.
• What would you change or do differently if you could?
• List 3 activities you need to do more of in 2012
• What 3 things do you need to stop doing in 2012
• What is your overall 'theme' for the year.
• List your top 3 'intentions' for the next year.

Use the information to help you create a plan to achieve more of what you want for 2012.
Make sure you note the specific actions you have created in your diary, or maybe as a screen saver on your computer, where you will see it regularly.
Using this simple strategy has lots of benefits.It will help to keep you accountable and it also gives you a tangible record of your progress and will become a reminder to keep you focused, particularly if you start to feel a little less motivated.

This reminds me of one of my favourite equations: focus + consistent actions = results.
 
Julie Rowlands is a certified professional coach, mentor and writer.
Julie works with professional women to help create Maximum Sustainable Energy, and Minimum Stress.
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