Resolutions Suck!

It's time for my annual rant on the ineffectiveness of New Year resolutions. This year I'm adding business planning and professional development goals suck too!

"But, you've got to do it!"

Only 12% of anyone who makes resolutions makes it past the first month. How many small business people make plans or review their last plan in preparation for the New Year? Of those, how many set goals that are unattainable or unrealistic?

Since I've been teaching people how to think like black belts I can tell you've I've met too many people who either do no planning whatsoever or set goals they won't reach unless hell freezes a bridge across the River Styx.

Here are some common bullshit excuses and some no bullshit responses:

1. I don't have enough time.
   
   This is the biggest pile of bullshit excuse out there! First of all, immediately stop what you're doing and go to the bookstore…now! Buy a copy of Stephen Covey's "First Things First." Sit down and read it!
   
   Planning and goal setting is a number one priority whether you're mapping out strategy for a business or keeping your skills sharp to assure you're going to continue to be a valuable employee. You don't have the time NOT to plan!
   
   I heard this excuse from a guy who hasn't had a job in 4 years! I don't know what else he's doing with his time, but I can tell you with absolute certainty that part of the reason he's still out of work is that he doesn't have a concrete plan for getting any!
   
   
2. I don't have the money to _____________ (fill in the blank!).
   
   Steal a pen and a single piece of paper! Actually, go to any bank or real estate office and act as if you're a customer, they'll give you a promotional package that will inevitably include a branded note pad and pen.
   
   Whatever you're going to do in the coming year is dependent on the resources you have right now. You may be eating bean sandwiches, but there has never been more opportunity to accomplish so much with so little. You do need to take a realistic inventory of your current material; emotional and spiritual resources…
   
   …then you need to DO SOMETHING! Not having the money is not an excuse; it may be the beginning of your highest priority goal!
   
   Some people will use other scarcity issues as an excuse; not skilled enough, don't have the connections, no experience etc. So what? If you're lacking in some area it will be part of your plan to change that condition.
   
   
3. Things are changing too fast; there's no way to predict ___________ (fill in the blank!).
   
   Amen. Planning is not prophecy. I'll even grant that you could create the most bomb-proof plan ever created only to get blown up by a bigger, badder bomb!
   
   Planning is dynamic; it's an ongoing process. But, you've got to start somewhere. You've got to have your eyes on the horizon and you've got to develop tools for making reasonable assumptions based on actual data.
   
   That's what the planning process is all about. In addition to preparing you better for the coming year, planning helps you develop a greater awareness of the dangers and opportunities ahead.
   

So why do so many goals fall short and so many plans go unfulfilled? Here are some of the top dangers whether you're making a personal resolution or drafting your business plan:

• Unrealistic or unattainable goals. Base your plan on an accurate inventory of material, emotional and spiritual resources. This is the first part of the planning process.
  
  
• Bad data. Do your homework; make sure your inventory is accurate. Avoid taking emotional leaps. It's great to have a big idea that keeps you focused on the horizon, but remember to check the ground in front of you.
  
  
• Unspecific goals. You've got to be focused to succeed. Goals that are too broad or general are much more difficult to accomplish.
  
  
• Setbacks. Develop Black Belt Mindset; if you get knocked down seven times, get up eight! Small setbacks shouldn't derail your plans. Good planning helps you anticipate and overcome setbacks.
  

Now is the time to sit down and develop a clear picture of what you hope to accomplish in 2010. You may want to expand your business, or assure that it weathers the economic storm. You may want to expand your value in the marketplace by learning new skills or earning new certifications. You may want to prepare for your newborn's college education or your own retirement.

Whatever it is you hope to accomplish follow the example of the world's most successful people. Successful people don't wait for opportunities; they plan for them!


Additional reading:
Resolutions: Bullshit!

Resolutions SUCK! Start your New Year REVOLUTION!

"Jim Bouchard's program is a revolutionary approach to planning and goal setting!"

In New Year REVOLUTION:

• Take an accurate inventory of material, emotional and spiritual resources. For business, this inventory includes tangible and intangible assets.
  
  
• Develop specific attainable and sustainable goals based on current resources.
  
  
• Access the discipline and focus you need to accomplish your goals...even when times are tough!
  

"This may be the most important workshop you'll attend as you start your New Year!"

Book your own New Year REVOLUTION workshop featuring Jim Bouchard, author of Think Like a Black Belt! Programs for businesses, associations, chambers and meetings! Call 800-786-8502 today!

For more information visit the New Year REVOLUTION page here!

Resolutions…Bullshit!

Resolutions don't work; period. Statistics show that only 12% of the people who set resolutions will keep them past the first month. Why is this figure so pathetic?

• Goals are not specific enough.
  
• Don't have the material, emotional or spiritual resources needed to see the goals to a successful conclusion.
  
• Goals lack rational, sustainable motivators.
  
• Resolutions are simply too big.
  
• Small set-backs become major failures.
  

Big ideas are great and emotion can be a fantastic motivator, but to finish the job you need a rational inventory of your current resources and a manageable series of goals that lead to your greater success.

This year replace your resolutions with a New Year REVOLUTIONtm. Completely change the way you think about goals for the next year.

First step: Take an inventory!

Whatever you're going to do in the coming year is dependent upon the resources you have at hand right here and right now. Of course, a valid goal can be to expand those resources, but you've got to start somewhere and you can't simply invent resources. You're going to need material, emotional and spiritual resources to activate and sustain your plans for the next year. What do you have in all three areas right now?

The best technique for taking an accurate inventory of material, emotional and spiritual resources is to take some time for gratitude. This doesn't need to be formal; simply take some time and think about everything you have right now. Include your friends, family and business connections; this support system is part of your emotional resources. Include your skills, talents and abilities. Include your positive traits and values like courage, work-ethic and character; these are your spiritual resources.

Next step: Big Ideas!

Take a little more time and just blast out some of the things you'd like to do if you knew this was your last year on earth! Don't worry about whether or not they're realistic yet, just organize your big ideas.

Now: Let's get real!

Finally, take a good look at your list of big ideas and decide which goals really motivate you physically, emotionally and spiritually. Then take these goals and decide which one best matches your current material, emotional and physical resources. Break that goal into a series of two or three small steps you know you can accomplish given your current resources and motivation. Now you have a set of realistic, attainable goals to start your New Year.

The best thing about your New Year REVOLUTION as opposed to resolutions is that you can start this process anytime, and revisit these steps at any time to adjust and accomplish your goals.

CAUTION: Too many people fail to achieve their goals because they allow minor set-backs to become major defeats. You may as well accept the fact that you'll face challenges and maybe even failures as you try to succeed; that's part of the deal. Rather than accepting failure, simply repeat this process, re-assess your goals, adjust and move on. You may have set a goal to lose 20 pounds before spring; losing 5 is a victory, not a defeat. Adjust your goal, your timeframe and keep going.

Best thoughts for success & happiness in the New Year!

Jim Bouchard is America's Black Belt Powervator; speaker, coach & author of Dynamic Components of Personal POWER. Jim returns to Maine for a special appearance at Borders in the Shaw's Plaza, Brunswick for New Year POWER: Creating Your New Year REVOLUTION! This event is Saturday, December 13^th at 4 pm; free and open to the public courtesy of Borders and Northern Chi Martial Arts Center!

Click here for more information on this and other coming events!