Happy New Year!!

It's interesting to me as I bump into people or overhear conversations about the holiday break, the New Year and the feeling of new starts. I sense a feeling of renewal, of reflection, of hope and a yearning for change. It sounds like people enjoyed a slower pace during the holiday break as well as a break from the daily routines.

I enjoyed a very relaxing time away with my family in Vermont. I too, broke away from my daily routines and pace of life. The break allowed me to really remove myself from my routines. Now, I find getting back into my usual routines a chance to see them differently, to make subtle changes, to appreciate and embrace all that surrounds me. I find myself re-evaluating my life and making new goals, letting go of old ones and feeling refreshed and renewed with a new plan for my life.

Yesterday while at my gym a woman said to me, "You must be busy this time of year!?" She was referring to all the New Year's Resolutions that people make. She then said,"I should talk to you about my resolutions." She commented on seeing a group of women out running together that morning. She laughed as she also commented on wondering how long that resolution would last.

Resolutions do serve a purpose. They do get us thinking about making positive changes. But, resolutions, for most of us don't last. Why? Because resolutions are often too big. "This year I'm going to..." Well, after 6 weeks the idea is a faded memory, or you get bored, etc, etc. Resolutions also have no plan. How will you achieve it?

Instead of resolutions, set goals. Make them realistic. Break the goals down into monthly, weekly and daily goals. The small pieces help to create your plan. As the woman in the gym said to me, "You must be busy." Yes, busy in helping people get clear about what they want in their life, helping them to set realistic goals and developing the plan to achieve them. Nothing is more satisfying to me than seeing my clients make the changes in their lives, achieve what they want and have a smile on their faces.

Resolutions or Intentions?

It's that time of year...time to make the New Year's Resolution. Do you have one? I have been listening to people say, "Yes, I made a resolution...but I never keep it." Makes me wonder if just the word, resolution means to wish for something, or put some effort in and when it does not materialize quickly enough...out the window it goes.

I am part of a Spirituality Group at my church. This week's topic of discussion will be Resolutions. One member of the group said, let's rename the topic, Intentions.
Intentions give us a new perspective on resolutions. What intentions will you set for this year? What intentions do you have for today?

So what does it take to keep your resolution or to have clear goals or intentions? I recently read that the American Society for Training and Development gathered these statistics of the likelihood of a person completing a goal breaks:

Hear an idea = 10%
Consciously decide to adopt an idea = 25%
Decide when they will do it = 40%
Plan how they will do it = 50%
Commit to someone else that they'll do it = 65%
And when they have a specific accountability appointment with the person they have committed to = 95% actually complete the goal.

My intention for 2008 is to help as many people as I can to create goals that excite and motivate them which will allow them to live a life that is rich, fulfilling and on fire!

What about you? Do you know what your intentions are for 2008? Do you know what you want in your life? Consciously decide to adopt an intention, an idea...decide when you will do it, develop a plan and commit to telling someone of your intentions. Next, have someone hold you accountable to what you say you will do.

It's your life...live it to the fullest! Don't put off doing the things you love...NOW is the time to act. If not now, when? You have a whole year ahead of you.

I've told you my intention for 2008...how can I help you with yours?