{"id":8466,"date":"2012-01-01T23:32:57","date_gmt":"2012-01-02T07:32:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/?p=8466"},"modified":"2013-09-16T13:39:46","modified_gmt":"2013-09-16T21:39:46","slug":"are-you-ready-for-a-really-good-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/are-you-ready-for-a-really-good-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Are You Ready For A Really Good Year?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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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.\u00a0 And what usually happens is they end each year the same way they ended the year before.<\/p>\n

Why is that? <\/p>\n

There are two main reasons: one is because they get caught up in the \u201cNew Year\u2019s Resolution Trap\u201d and the other is because of a lack of continuous motivation.\u00a0 I call it a \u201cresolution trap\u201d because it feels good to make New Year\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

I tell my audiences that resolutions are a nice little feel good activity, but are really a waste of time.\u00a0 They have no substance and rarely, if ever, create any sustained improvement in people\u2019s lives. I recommend you DO NOT make any New Year\u2019s 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.\u00a0 Resolutions are nebulous, are not specific and are almost never written.<\/p>\n

The best ways to reach your goals is to SMART them.\u00a0 Here\u2019s how to do it:<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 S<\/strong>pecific \u2013 Don\u2019t just say I want to lose weight.\u00a0 Get specific!\u00a0 I want to lose 20 pounds by March 1st<\/sup> and I\u2019m going to eat right, exercise three times each week and not give into cravings.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 M<\/strong>easurable \u2013 Set a goal that is measurable so you can check your progress as you go. Don\u2019t just say, \u201cI want to be happy.\u201d\u00a0 That\u2019s not measurable.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A<\/strong>ttainable \u2013 This means a goal that is in the realm of possibility.\u00a0 The idea is to push beyond your comfort zone, but not so far where it becomes impossible and you become frustrated and give up.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 R<\/strong>elevant \u2013 Is your goal important to you?\u00a0 Are you passionate about it?\u00a0 Does it involve your purpose?\u00a0 If you answer no it\u2019s going to be nearly impossible.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 T<\/strong>ime-bound \u2013 Set a date by which you want to achieve your goals.\u00a0 This eliminates procrastination.<\/p>\n

Whatever you want to achieve this year, set the goal, set the date of achievement, write it down, read it daily and GET BUSY!\u00a0 You will see your life change!<\/p>\n

The next thing that stops people from growing each year is a lack of continuous motivation.\u00a0 They get motivated at the first of the year but don’t keep it up.\u00a0 Some people say the problem with motivation is that it wears off.\u00a0 Well, so does bathing, yet most people bathe everyday (we hope).\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2026I guarantee it!\u00a0 So folks, On Your Mark, Get Set, Let\u2019s Go!\u00a0 Let\u2019s Thrive in the New Year!\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Willie Jolley is a world-class, award-winning speaker, best-selling author and media personality.\u00a0 Success Magazine hailed Mr. Jolley as the ‘Comeback King.\u2019 Willie Jolley was named \u201cOne of the Outstanding Five Speakers in the World\u201d by Toastmasters International. Willie Jolley is the author of several international best-selling books including \u201cIt Only Takes a Minute to Change Your Life,\u201d \u201cA Setback Is A Setup For A Comeback,\u201d and \u201cTurn Setbacks into Greenbacks.\u201d\u00a0 For more information, visit http:\/\/www.williejolley.com\/<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There are two main reasons: one is because they get caught up in the \u201cNew Year\u2019s Resolution Trap\u201d and the other is because of a lack of continuous motivation. I call it a \u201cresolution trap\u201d because it feels good to make New Year\u2019s resolutions, yet it rarely actualizes into anything tangible. Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12163,"featured_media":8562,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[6],"tags":[1817,489,66,4651,488,4629,1826],"yoast_head":"\nAre You Ready For A Really Good Year? - Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Many people start out the New Year excited and say they are really ready for a better year. 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