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Are You Ready For A Really Good Year?

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Willie Jolley | CATEGORIES: self improvement

Many people start out the New Year excited and say they are really ready for a better year. They tell their friends that they are ready for better times and they make lots of New Year’s resolutions. The problem is that most people are only excited for the first two weeks of the New Year, then by the third week they have forgotten their resolutions and are back to doing exactly what they did before.  And what usually happens is they end each year the same way they ended the year before.

Why is that?

There are two main reasons: one is because they get caught up in the “New Year’s Resolution Trap” and the other is because of a lack of continuous motivation.  I call it a “resolution trap” because it feels good to make New Year’s resolutions, yet it rarely actualizes into anything tangible. Statistics show that the sale of diet products and health club attendance are highest in the first two weeks of the year, but the enthusiasm starts to dwindle by the end of the month.

I tell my audiences that resolutions are a nice little feel good activity, but are really a waste of time.  They have no substance and rarely, if ever, create any sustained improvement in people’s lives. I recommend you DO NOT make any New Year’s resolutions, but rather you set some new goals for the New Year! Goals are one of the main keys to achievement. How can you distinguish a goal from a resolution? Goals are measurable, they are specific, they have a time element attached and they are written.  Resolutions are nebulous, are not specific and are almost never written.

The best ways to reach your goals is to SMART them.  Here’s how to do it:

-       Specific – Don’t just say I want to lose weight.  Get specific!  I want to lose 20 pounds by March 1st and I’m going to eat right, exercise three times each week and not give into cravings.

-       Measurable – Set a goal that is measurable so you can check your progress as you go. Don’t just say, “I want to be happy.”  That’s not measurable.

-       Attainable – This means a goal that is in the realm of possibility.  The idea is to push beyond your comfort zone, but not so far where it becomes impossible and you become frustrated and give up.

-       Relevant – Is your goal important to you?  Are you passionate about it?  Does it involve your purpose?  If you answer no it’s going to be nearly impossible.

-       Time-bound – Set a date by which you want to achieve your goals.  This eliminates procrastination.

Whatever you want to achieve this year, set the goal, set the date of achievement, write it down, read it daily and GET BUSY!  You will see your life change!

The next thing that stops people from growing each year is a lack of continuous motivation.  They get motivated at the first of the year but don’t keep it up.  Some people say the problem with motivation is that it wears off.  Well, so does bathing, yet most people bathe everyday (we hope).  The same has to be done with motivation; it must be ongoing to maintain effectiveness. Make a commitment to read or listen to something motivational each and every day. Make a commitment to fill your mind with that which is positive and encouraging.  Find something that inspires you such as a book, motivational tapes or inspirational music that makes you want to dream and then motivates you to go after your dreams.

Make a decision and make it important to seek motivation and inspiration and make it a daily part of your routine and you will make this a better year…I guarantee it!  So folks, On Your Mark, Get Set, Let’s Go!  Let’s Thrive in the New Year!  

Willie Jolley is a world-class, award-winning speaker, best-selling author and media personality.  Success Magazine hailed Mr. Jolley as the ‘Comeback King.’ Willie Jolley was named “One of the Outstanding Five Speakers in the World” by Toastmasters International. Willie Jolley is the author of several international best-selling books including “It Only Takes a Minute to Change Your Life,” “A Setback Is A Setup For A Comeback,” and “Turn Setbacks into Greenbacks.”  For more information, visit http://www.williejolley.com/

 

 

  • Lina

    Good point you made there. 
    It’s true that we get excited and feel energetic in the first two weeks or so and then, gradually, return to our former way of thinking and living (which most of the time is a very unproductive, negative way). We lack motivation because we lack power of will – the power of will to actually DO something in order to achieve our goals. This is why I consider your perspective on “New Year’s resolutions” a more down-to-earth and sure path towards achieving our aspirations – setting goals and deadlines for them.

  • http://jackfoley.net/ jack foley

    Yea I agree, it’s all about putting the right things into your head

    Garbage in – Garbage out

    Empowerment in – Empowerment Out..

    Cheers

  • http://hanofharmony.com/ The Vizier

    Hi Willie,

    It’s true.  Each year is the same year in year out.  Many people start the year on a high note ready to make changes but by the time the year ends, they are back to their old routines.  It is safe, it is comfortable, if it isn’t broken, why fix it?

    I like how you suggest we should SMART our goals.  Indeed by doing so, it forces us to be accountable.  But we have to set goals that are really important to us in the first place.  Only by doing so will motivation come naturally for us.  Otherwise when the going gets tough, it is time to revert to the tried and true.  Everything else that is expendable, we cut off to focus and the same old routine repeats itself.

    Thank you for sharing this lovely article!  

    Irving the Vizier

  • http://www.makethemgreat.com/ Jason Scott

    Some very valid insight in the post. I think a lot of people make New Year’s resolutions because they feel pressured to do it. They feel that they would look lazy or unambitious to those around them. Their hearts aren’t really into their resolutions, so they don’t stick to them when things get hard. As you said, real, personal motivation is better. People are more likely to hang in there then.

    Great post, thanks for sharing!

  • Giovani_ogi

    Que todos tus problemas duren tanto como tus propsitos de Año Nuevo! -Joey AdamsI hope that your problems will be alive like your new year resolution- Joey

  • http://thehappyzone.com/personal-development Sarita

    Very well said. So many people have the same New Year’s resolutions very year. In the end, our best bet is to learn to be our own cheerleader to keep motivated toward our goals. I like what you said about being passionate about our goals. I think that is the core of keeping moving forward.

  • http://www.youturnlifecoaching.net/ Coach Nea

    I think that what most people forget about New Year’s resolutions is that they require the same elements you need in order to achieve any other goal. We need momentum, planning, tracking, commitment and the belief that it can be done.

  • http://nochnoch.com/ Noch Noch

    Thats what my coach taught me !!
    And it helps once we have a specific behaviour to change
    Thanks!

  • Clint Cora

    I usually spend the last part of December working on my upcoming year’s plans and goals rather than typical New Year resolutions.  These include steps to get motivated on a regular basis throughout the year.

  • http://pristineperception.com/ Suzanne

    I agree with the resolutions. We need to be mindful about what we set ourselves up  for otherwise it ends up being another setback that compounds on prior setbacks. To say ‘I am going to lose weight” and not do it, allows the brain to recall all the other times you have said and done the same thing. This is what gets locked into our subconscious mind.

  • http://pristineperception.com/ Suzanne

    I agree with the resolutions. We need to be mindful about what we set ourselves up  for otherwise it ends up being another setback that compounds on prior setbacks. To say ‘I am going to lose weight” and not do it, allows the brain to recall all the other times you have said and done the same thing. This is what gets locked into our subconscious mind.

  • http://www.2knowmyself.com/ Farouk

    so right
    i wish that 2012 becomes a great year for all of us 

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  • http://www.higherawareness.com/blog/levels-of-consciousness/ Levels of Consciousness

    Great post! I agree with you a hundred percent. Everyone is capable of greatness but we tend to settle for mediocrity because we limit ourselves with what we and others think we can and can’t do. I hope a lot of peopel get to read this and challenge themselves more.

  • http://twitter.com/BruceLaister Bruce Laister

    Nice post!
    Here is another guide to new years resolutions. http://wp.me/p1Ac4T-7q 
    Keep the good work up!