I have always been skeptical of the idea of New Year’s resolutions. Did you know that only 8% of them succeed ? I am more in favor of a New Year’s PLAN. Plans can change things.

I am all for establishing intentions and all for making lists. A resolution however, is more like wishing for something and expecting that the strength of your wish will make it come true. Research shows the desire or willpower alone is insufficient. If you are ready and willing to make changes, bring out the power tools. They are called SMART goals.

SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time bound.

See more at:

Structure Sunday: Three Ways to Get Ready for the Week

So make a New Year’s list of the goals you would like to achieve, but apply this metric to each one.

Here is more on exactly how this works :

The Importance of Inspiration

For example, if you want to exercise daily, you must know what exercise you will do, and where. You should make a record of what you do. It should be something that is realistic at the present moment. You should know exactly when in the day and week it will take place and give yourself a date to reassess your progress. If you do not do these things for your exercise plan, then you are not serious about this goal. If you actually set yourself up this way, you will almost certainly be successful. It’s like Dorothy and the ruby slippers. You had the power all along.

Meanwhile here is some additional fun and illuminating reading on New Year’s Resolutions :

LIfehack: 50 New Year's Resolutions and How to Achieve Each of Them

Happy New Year !