Dave Masterson's thoughts on technology happenings, personal experiences, travels, work, fun, etc.

Entries in 2012 (1)

Friday
Jan062012

Use the Excuse

This is it, almost a week into 2012, most New Year's resolutions are showing cracks or signs of failure. Sad, but efforts to control the diet, stop smoking, do more of this, less of that are tough to adhere to. So what happens? Many fall back into the habits they wished they could shake. Excuses abound. All this in week #1 in January. Aw, shucks.

It doesn't have to be this way. You can change, improve, do more, do less, whatever, all you need is a good excuse. How about, "This is when everyone else tries to make a resolution, so I'll burrow in with that crowd and do one, too?" Really? It seems most of these annual efforts fail, why would you want to be a part of that scene? This is EXACTLY why your plan will work. You will devise something you really want, write it down, and chase it while others flop. It's an odd way to look at it, but who among us considers themselves to be average or just middle of the road? Not too many takers on those labels. So it should be easier for an "above average" person to grab onto an idea, commit to it, and win. And you can.

The cornerstone of any goal program is the written record. If you want it, is it so tough to write the goal down, give it some time constraints, and then begin the chase? Nope. I found a great formula, discovered by an author friend and distributed on her Facebook wall between Christmas and New Years. I'd like to share this easy to follow goals formula. It's simple to do, based on an easy to fill out chart. See it by clicking the link below, along with a good explanation from it's author.

KAIHAN KRIPPENDORFF's goals sheet method

I'm doing this for several categories... Home, family, work things, fitness, spiritual. It's a fresh approach of envisioning what you want as a result, then backing into it by quarter year. Have a look. Do a resolution now, when seemingly so many others are sitting alongside the road with flat tires and blown engines. Come at it with a fresh attitude (It's still only 6 days into 2012!) and let's see if it works. You're competing against all those that couldn't, it should be an easy win. Because really, you don't have an excuse not too!