According to Gary Ryan Blair, from the www.GoalsGuy.com, who surveyed 300,000 people, the top ten New Year’s Resolutions are:
1. Lose Weight and Get in Better Physical Shape
2. Stick to a Budget
3. Debt Reduction
4. Enjoy More Quality Time with Family & Friends
5. Find My Soul Mate
6. Quit Smoking
7. Find a Better Job
8. Learn Something New
9. Volunteer and Help Others
10. Get Organized
To me, these all seem to be very BIG goals, and a little daunting. They are vague and tough to measure. It is no wonder that such a large percentage of people who make New Year’s Resolutions fail.
From my own experience, I have found that smaller, more concrete goals are easier to achieve. I also believe that small changes can be hugely impactful. For example, I would like to feel more gratitude – to understand how fortunate I am. Therefore, I will resolve to write thank-you notes.
I prefer SMART goals as described by Aristotle. S.M.A.R.T. goals are
- Specific,
- Measurable,
- Achievable by you,
- Realistic, and
- Time framed.
This fits my 365 Thank-you notes in 365 days perfectly!
