To join a gym’; ‘to spend more time with family’, ‘to earn more’; ‘to learn a new language’ – all resolutions.

Every year I feel I should devise a list of my resolutions for the year to come. However, to me each time I recall these they feel like an obligation rather than a thing that I look forward to acquiring or achieving. They suggest to me that I’m not satisfied ‘now’. That 2009 was not good enough, that I’ll achieve ‘more’ in 2010. Maybe I will. However, these past events, both good and bad, have led me to this spot. They have been stepping stones to anything that I have and will accomplish!

So for 2010 I genuinely hope that we all consider our resolutions as things we want to do. It’s likely that if you want to achieve it, you will! I think the key to any plan to make our goals realistic and obtainable is to;

a)Identify what it is that you want to achieve i.e Emma wants to be able to walk her new puppy, Gilbert.

b) Then devise  your goal. List the six ‘W’s of your goal – ‘What?’, by ‘Who’,'Where?’ ‘Why?’,'how ‘Well?’ & ‘by When?’ i.e. Emma will be able to walk  Gilbert three laps around the local park four times a week, with her 4 wheeled frame within 20 minutes by Jan 31st.

c)Devise stepping stones to it, break it down – create sub-goals.

d) Tell another about it – be accountable. Even better – why not tell a few people in each environment you’re in (i.e. your partner, colleague & walking group!)

e) Etch an end date, a deadline in your diary. Divide that period into four and create four steps to reaching that goal! Less overwhelming, right?

f) List the disadvantages & advantages of not achieving & achieving that goal

g) List the obstacles that you might encounter – prepare yourself!

h) Brainstorm how you’ll overcome these likely obstacles. What will happen if you don’t reach your goal?

I guarantee that we all have ‘goals’ or ‘resolutions’ either written down or in our minds somewhere. However, whether these are achievable or not is up to each one of us. Remember, we ALL have a choice in how we strive for these.