Recipe for Resolution #16 - Seek Wisdom

Surround yourself with advisors or “board members.” You can have a board member or advisor on your team without them even knowing it. These advisors may also be part of your tribe.

My grandparents were happily married for over 60 years - until death did they part – so they were my advisors when it came to relationship issues. When my divorced friends or “player” friends offered relationship advice, I said “thank you for sharing” and promptly forgot what they said.

Seek “advisors” that are very good at the things you need help with. Aside from giving reliable, proven advice, they will also hold you accountable to your goals and commitments. Remember, you become the average of the 5 people who you spend the most time with.

Recipe for Resolution #7 - Goal Setting

Now that you have made the mental commitment, empowered your vocabulary, created a mantra, envisioned your dreams, listed your priorities and looked at your schedule – it’s time to set some realistic goals.

Make each goal "SMART" - Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely (a completion date).

Use smaller “stair-step” goals to reach larger ones – ex: if your goal is to lose 30 lbs by March 31, make a series of stair-step goals – I will lose 10 lbs by January 31, 10 more pounds by Feb 28th, and 10 more pounds by March 31 to achieve my total goal of 30 pounds.

Group your goals by personal, business, travel, family etc… List from short term to long term in each category. Most importantly, WRITE THEM DOWN and READ THEM DAILY.

Recipe for Resolution #6 - Time Allocation

Take a good look at your schedule and calendar. Think about your daily routine and how you spend your time. Is your time allocation congruent with your priorities list?

Many people I coach say that their health, GOD or family are their top priorities, but after a coaching session, they realize that their time allocation is not indicative of their priorities – for instance, after charting their weekly schedule and time usage, they realize that they spend 40 hours at work, another 10 hours getting ready for and traveling to work, 14 hours watching TV, 60 hours sleeping, 11 hours are spent goofing-off or time that cannot be accounted for. On their top priorities, they spent less than 2 hours working out or exercising, less than 4 hours of true quality time with the family and only 1 hour at church. 

Working with a life coach or accountability partner can help you get your life in balance and find “extra” time to do the things that are high on your priority list. Investing time in your top priorities will have an exponentially greater return than simply spending or wasting your time on lower priority items. Making resolutions for the New Year will be futile if you don't make time to actually do them!

Recipe for Resolution #1 - Change

"Happy New You" - For those who made or want to make New Year’s resolutions, we have a special recipe to help you do it successfully. From now through the month of January, we will be posting our “Recipes for Resolution” and offering new wellness programs to help you in your quest for success. Whether you want to lose weight, find happiness, become more successful or just feel better – we will help you make 2012 the most positive, profitable and productive year of your life.

1.    True change is not carried in the pocket or the piggy-bank. Change is one's ability to adapt, move, shift direction, and alter thinking. Like a mighty tree swaying in the breeze, we must maintain flexibility and bend - or we will break.

       The first and most important step in the resolution process is to make the conscious decision to change. Ignite the fire internally and set your desires into motion. Flip the switch that mentally turns on a new you. Decide to make immediate, definite, effective, lasting changes in your life. Commit to doing things differently - remember Einstein’s definition of insanity: “To continue doing things the same way, but expect different results.” Know that new effort and changed direction will take you to new destinations. Resolve to make change today.