Like most people, the end of every year I begin thinking about my New Year's Resolutions, or the goals I want to accomplish. Is there any hope that we can keep those resolutions? Here are a few steps I hope to use in accomplishing 
mine.
1. Keep the goals simple and reasonable. If you want to lose 100 pounds, begin with 10 or 20 pounds. That doesn't seem like such an insurmountable impossibility. We can always modify that once we accomplish the goal.
2. Anticipate and plan for roadblocks. What has kept me from accomplishing that goal in the past and what can I do to prevent that from happening again? If I can't get up early in the morning to exercise despite my best laid plans, maybe I need to work some exercise into my day by parking farther away or taking the stairs at work.
3. Plan for the long haul. We'll all miss out on a few days, but this is a long race. Remember, you have all year. Just get back on track when things have not gone as planned and pat yourself on the back when you make progress.
4. Have a support system. We all need a little encouragement at times and it's important that I let key people know what I am trying to accomplish. There may be that one person who always tries to sabotage us, so don't tell him or her. We need to hand pick those people who can inspire us to greatness. We also can be part of someone else's support system.
5. Measure your progress. Keep track of the progress you've made so you can look back and see the small changes. Those changes will add up to something big over time. When you get discouraged, you can always look at the progress you made and get re-energized.
In my opinion, goal setting is one of the most important things we can do. It gives us focus and direction and pushes us to improve. I don't meet all my goals each year, but I have made considerable progress over time. This year, one of my goals is to lose weight. While I'd like to see those washboard abs on my body, I'd settle for a smaller pair of jeans. After all, those washboard abs can be my resolution for next year.
I wish you all a happy and healthy 2008!
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