Happy 2011 everyone! I have to say for as much optimism and hope that I have for this coming year I am very reluctant when it comes to New Year’s resolutions. In fact I have quite a negative opinion on the subject. I feel that New Year’s resolutions do more harm than good. They set us up for failure and leave us in the exact same place that we were looking to get out of. On the other hand, I am a very goal oriented person and believe in specific and attainable goals. According to the website, http://www.writetoinspire.com/article1294.html, the “meaning of "resolution" is that one is resolved (i.e. determined) to accomplish a particular thing. It seems to me that most resolutions are more like wishes. A goal, on the other hand, according to the Merriam Webster dictionary, is "the end toward which effort is directed." Much more than wishful thinking is involved here. Perhaps if we made New Year’s goals instead of resolutions, we would have more success.”

How many times have you had resolutions and vowed to go to the gym more, eat healthier, stop smoking, or just be a better person? How many of these resolutions have been resolved and have stayed resolved? On the other hand, how many times have had a specific goal and a step-by-step guide to help you achieve it? For instance, if you were to cook a huge dinner for friends and family you probably wouldn’t go to the grocery store and just pick out whatever looked good to you and hope everything comes together. You would take a head count, make a grocery list according to what you wanted to prepare for your guests, and prepare everything according to schedule.

Do you see the point I am trying to make between resolutions and goals? I am all for changing, and changing means to actively change your previous actions. It means to do things differently, to get out of your comfort zone, to challenge yourself, to be the best YOU that you can be. To plan according to schedule. It takes effort, but everything takes effort if you do it right.

I am such a goal-oriented person I am constantly making lists for myself on post-it notes daily. I will write 2, 3, 4 things down and cross them out EVERYDAY. The act of crossing something off on a list literally shows you that you have accomplished your goal(s), no matter how big or small. In writing this article I was able to cross something off my list, and it feels oh…so…good!