So the New Year is here. Some people make resolutions, some don’t. But what is a resolution? Well, when it comes down to it, a resolution is nothing more than a short term goal that you resolve to accomplish within a set time frame. One year.
Often New Year’s resolutions are made and forgotten fairly quickly. My personal resolutions often revolve around travel or some sort of athletic goal like a triathlon or summit. I always accomplish these goals. Maybe I’m just setting my goals too low… or maybe I actually have a good method of reaching those goals? (Don’t answer that, it’s rhetorical… 
)There are various ways we can accomplish these goals. I’ve come up with a common sense list of 10 ways to get you there. You probably already know these things, but keep them in mind as you work toward you resolution this year.
Be reasonable! - Don’t decide to climb Everest if you’ve never even run a mile. Set a goal that is obtainable. Don’t be too conservative though. Set one you would be proud of and excited to talk to others about.
Tell others! - Tell your friends and family about it. Send an email out asking all of them to support you and to pester you about it. The support from those who care about you most will motivate you.
Write it down! - So many people form a resolution or goal in their minds, but by the time they get around to accomplishing it they’ve revised it so much it isn’t quite as great as it was when they first thought of it.
Display it! - Don’t just write it down in a notebook you’ll never see. Put it on 20 sticky notes and put them around your house or workplace. Put one in your wallet or purse. Make a poster that hangs on the wall at the end of your bed if that’s what it takes. Make it your screensaver or wallpaper. You need constant reminders to work on your resolution.
Schedule tasks! - Make a calendar with smaller goals that you need to reach to obtain the larger one.
Start today! - Don’t say “I’ll start this next week.” Start today. If your goal is to run a 10k but it’s raining… suck it up! Get out there and start running now.
Partner up! - Find someone who is in your daily life to share this resolution with. Your significant other, friend, or co-worker will keep you in line on the days you want to slack, and you’ll do the same for them.
Role model! - So you want to cycle across your state? Lance might be a good motivator? Want to climb a major peak? What about Ed Viesters? A role model can motivate you in ways that your buddies can’t. Buy a book about this person, or rent a dvd.
Take a break! - Well, not for too long. But seriously, so many people burn out early on with resolutions. You don’t want to be one of those. Take a day off, or a weekend off from your efforts to reach your goal.
Be positive! - This is probably the most important one for me personally. Avoid getting down. You may get tired of working so hard for this goal and start to think “This isn’t worth it.” But go back to the reason you are doing it. Think about the end result. Take a deep breath.
January 4th, 2008
