Uh oh... I can hear you already. 

"WHAT??  Janet, you are ridiculous! Everyone sets New Year's Resolutions!  What's wrong with you?" 

Of the 87 emails I've gotten so far today, give or take a few dozen, the VAST majority have told me to do something as part of my New Year's Resolutions.  I should shop their sale, start their diet and exercise program, cook their recipe, travel to their destination or sign up for their something.....   

Wait a minute!  Are those MY resolution or THEIRS?

Seriously?!

I'm not suggesting that this isn't a good time to reflect on the past year, to assess what went well and what did not and to set goals for your future year.  Deadlines like year-end and year-beginning can be very motivating HOWEVER.....  Making resolutions feels good only for the first few days because there is nothing of substance to sustain them. 

I'm suggesting that New Year's Resolutions are a fallacy.   

Much like attendance at the gym in February.... You know what I'm talkin' about.  When was the last time your yoga pants actually WENT to yoga? 

Instead of resolutions I suggest we set goals WITH "Actions Plans"!  Stay with me...

Lil Red frequently wants something, an item of clothing, a song from iTunes, an added freedom and being the wicked witch of the west I make her earn things.  {insert teenager eye roll}  We talk about it, and then we write up her action plan where she agrees to do something to earn something.  I even make her sign a contract.  Yup. 

I, Lil Red, the adorable yet feisty daughter of Janet, agree to do the following in exchange for the following. Signed on this date at this time.

The myriad of emails today telling me to resolve to buy this, resolve to do this and resolve to be this, got me thinking about goal setting for grown ups and even goal setting on a much larger scale.  A goal to lose 10 pounds is good but a goal to lose 10 pounds plus a step by step action plan is so much better!  The goal to spend more time with family is good but the goal to spend every Thursday night cooking dinner as a family is so much better!  The goal to build your new, say, marketing business is good but the goal to build your new, say, marketing business by making 50 sales calls a day and setting 15 appointments per week is better. 

My advice? Wait, did anyone actually request my advice?  Nevertheless, here are a few steps to get you started. 

1. Set goals for 2015!  BUT don't stop there!
2. Set your action plan for each goal-be specific and set a timeframe for completion. Think through the process in step by step detail.  What is step one that will lead naturally to step two and so on. 
3. Write it down. On actual paper...with pen, pencil, crayon, glitter glue, whatever!
4. Sign a contract committing to yourself
5. Post somewhere prominent.  Lil Red's is taped to her closet door and you know how often teenagers are in their closet!  Mine is thumbtacked to my cork board in my office and in my desk and in my bedside table and in my wallet.  I know.... I need repetition. 
6. Check in on your progress regularly and adjust the steps as necessary. It's okay, not every path is a straight one!
7. Create an accountability partner by telling someone about your plan.    This one was hard for me... private goals not met are goals never truly set. 

In the interest of full disclosure here are my 2015 goals.  I'll spare you the action plan on each of these, today.... 

Professional:

• Work from home
• make minimum of xxx
• enjoy what I do
• flexible schedule
• limited travel for business
• non-repetitious work
• challenging
• dynamic people around me
• collaborate with partners once a month
• contribute to my professional growth with education

Personal Goals:

• be the best mother, daughter, friend and sister I can be
• have my family and friends' trust, respect and affection
• support my family well financially, emotionally and spiritually
• Spend quality time with Lil Red everyday
• go somewhere new with Lil Red once a month
• take two vacations per year
• talk to both sisters and both parents at least one a week
• volunteer at school, church and the community
• pray daily
• read a new book each month
• physical activity 3 days per week
• contribute to my personal growth by self evaluate and education

I'd love to know your goals too and if you want an accountability partner, I'm game! 

But before you go, I'd love to start the year with a bang by having several new eager to get started clients, if you or someone you know needs my help, please let me know! Thanks!