It’s that time of year again.  Traditionally, as we roll the calendar over to a new year, we vow to make some changes and do things differently to improve our health, our relationships, our lives.  And, sadly,  less than 50% of us will be successful sticking to our resolution.   As I was thinking about what my New Year’s Resolutions might be, I considered all the things I’ve been complaining about:  my weight, my short temper with my kids, not taking enough time for myself, not getting enough exercise, my messy desk… there are plenty of areas of my life that I’d like to tweak!  As I looked at my list, I asked myself… do I want those things to be different or am I actually committed to doing what it takes to change them?  BIG difference.  Those of us of a certain age, remember Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha on the television show Bewitched.  Samantha could wiggle her nose and make what ever she wanted to happen happen, with no effort whatsoever.  As I looked at my list, I said to myself, yes, if I were Samantha, I’d make all those things happen but, since I’m not, which ones are really important to me?  Which change or changes am I really committed to working on?  I’m still working on the answer but I’m leaning toward starting with my desk and those pesky extra pounds I haven’t been able to shake.  So, how will I proceed?  I’m  going to create SMART goals around the change(s) I decide to make.  I’m going to make them:

Specific:  What is the exact number of pounds I want to lose or size clothes I want to fit in or measurement of various parts of my body

What exactly is the outcome I want to see if I ‘handle’ my messy desk (files for everything, desk cleared off and all papers put in the proper folder at the end of every work day, takes me no more than 1 minute to access anything I’m looking for, etc.)

 Measurable:  How will I measure my success?  Sometimes, the measurement is very concrete… 10 pounds, other times it is moving from a current sense of satisfaction of ’3′ on a scale of 1-10 to a desire to be consistently at an ’8′. 

Achievable:  Goals should be a stretch but not impossible.  If you set a goal that is out of your control to reach or so enormous that it is unlikely that even Superman could do it, you’ll set yourself up for failure.  And failure leads to disappointment, self depracation and a nasty ride down a slippery slope.  Be realistic about what you can do in a particular timeframe.  Remember, this isn’t the last goal you’ll ever set in your life… break it down into small, do-able steps, gain momentum, get a good win under your belt and then you’ll be inspired to keep going.

Relevant:  Ask yourself how your specific goal relates to your life purpose, your overall goals.  When a goal fits into a big picture, the grand scheme for your life, you are more likely to stick with it.  Successful attainment of a relevant goal has a bigger payoff than merely changing a behavior.

 Time-framed:  By when do you intend to make your change?  It’s important to set a realistic timeframe because if you don’t, one of two things is likely to happen:  either you’ll think you aren’t progressing fast enough or, you’ll put off doing what you need to do in order to achieve success because you have no measure of accountability for yourself.  Either way, you’ll sabotage your success.

And, by the way… just because it is January 1, you don’t have to make a resolution.  January 6 is good, February 8 is good.  Better to make it a meaningful, attainable goal than a random wish tied to a particular day of the year.  After all, when you achieve success, it won’t have mattered when you set the goal!

Best wishes for a happy, healthy, satisfying 2010.  I look forward to continuing our journey together.