Make Goals, Not Resolutions

I
really hate hearing about new year “resolutions.”  In fact, I find this term to be about as annoying
as “irregardless.”

Oddly
enough, I have a favorable view when people tell me about “goals” for the new year.  Before you start telling me that the difference is merely
semantics, let’s take a closer look at each one.

For
many people, resolutions might be some form of the following (note: the items
listed below were once my own resolutions, so I’m as guilty as the next
person):

• Lose “X amount” of pounds
• Eat healthier
• Make more money
• Find a new job

Now,
tell me if you see a difference between the resolutions stated above, and the
tweaked equivalents below:

• Lose 10 pounds by eating
  healthier, working hard at the gym, and learning the most effective
  techniques for weight loss
• Find a position and company
  that will support my need for professional growth, while increasing my immediate
  and future income potential.

See the difference?  That’s because a resolution is a form of
hope, while the second list is full of goals that are complete with some
semblance of a plan.  A goal is something
specific, a resolution is a wish.

I
would always fall into the age old trap of making a resolution only to see it fizzle by the end of January.  Why?
Because until recently, I didn’t realize my own disconnect between hoping for
change…and actually acting for it.

So
what are my goals for the new year?  Well,
I’m glad you asked!  Here are a few that
I’ve carefully thought out:

• Continue learning by reading at
  least 1 hour, and writing 30 minutes every single day.
• Overhead Press 200 pounds.
• Break the 400 pound barrier on
  conventional deadlifts with great form.
• Book trips home for the rest of
  the year within the next two months. 
  This strategy will help myself get home more often (and not leave
  it up in the air).

While
I do have a few others, I hope you’ll agree that these goals are all tangible
and something I can easily – or in the case of the Overhead Press, not so
easily – accomplish.

Instead
of looking for hope or change this year, figure out something tangible.  Then, formulate your own plan and get after
it.  As Dan John once said, make sure
your goal remains, in fact, your goal. 

The
pathway to realizing your goals is often very simple…but sticking to it?  That’s the hard part.