Happy New Year!

I trust everyone had a great holiday season and are ready to begin a New Year. I am excited to resume my blog and will be sending it the first Friday of each month.

How many of you made New Year’s resolutions for 2008? According to a variety of research sources, here are the top ten resolutions, did yours make the list?

#1 Spend more time with family and friends

#2 Fit in fitness

#3 Tame the bulge

#4 Quit smoking

#5 Enjoy life more….what exactly does that mean to you?

#6 Quit drinking

#7 Get out of debt

#8 Learn something new

#9 Help others

#10 Get organized

According to the experts, 25% of New Year’s resolutions will be abandoned in the first 15 weeks; the average number of times a New Year’s resolution is made is 10; those who manage to make a resolution that lasts for 6 months or more have often tried 5 or 6 times before finally succeeding; and most of the resolutions made are health related.

I would like to add #11 to the list which I feel is very important. Make a resolution to review your image and brand from a professional perspective. As managers and leaders, there may be a behavior that while you feel it has positive results, may be causing those around you to go “nuts”. Examine what it may be and what you will do to adjust it. Just think of the benefits and enhancements to your image! 

Here are several tips to keep the resolutions you have made for 2008 (including #11):

• Have appropriate expectations…if you have resolved to exercise for example, don’t say that you will begin with an hour a day…that probably will not last
• Set a learning goal to take the time to gain the knowledge necessary to begin your resolution, don’t just jump head first
• Focus on what you are going to do…once you have determined exactly what you need to do, then set a simply action plan. Implement one thing to help you keep your resolution on track. For example, if you are going to exercise, focus on how much better you will feel after doing those ten sit ups (visualize tight abs, oh yes).

Please let us know if you made a resolution for 2008, if so, what is it, and how are you planning to achieve it…..or at least get it started.

Best to you in the New Year!

Nyda

This entry was posted on Friday, January 4th, 2008 at 8:43 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.