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Resolutions Don't Work - But This Does!

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Education & Training with 770.498.7333



Instead of New Year's resolutions, I used a process last year which led me to accomplish more than I have ever done. It works so well it is almost like magic.

This process is perfect if you have lots of projects, or lots of goals you would like to accomplish. Having worked through the process three times last year, I am able to share what works and what didn't.

What is this magical process, you ask? It involves setting 90-day goals.

Why it Works:

  • It keeps you focused.
    Having a 90-day accountability cycle does not allow enough time for you to forget about or put goals on the back burner. This is perfect if you have a mild case of Adult ADD, which I prefer to refer to as HCHE (highly creative highly energetic).

  • It keeps you motivated. Instead of starting the year trying to accomplish 10 resolutions, you devote 90 days to 3 or 4 goals. Checking those goals off your list provides you with consistent feedback throughout the year, which in turn motivates you to accomplish even more.

  • 90 days is the perfect time frame.
    90 days is enough time for you to achieve a measurable goal, yet there no time built in for slacking off. You have to work on your goal just about every day in order to meet the 90-day deadline.

Keys to Making the 90-day Process Work:

After going through three 90-day cycles, I can offer the following insights on what works and what doesn't.

  • Limit your goals.
    It is tempting to start off with 10 goals within a 90-day period. Trust me when I say, this will not work. I found that when I tried to accomplish 10 goals within 90 days, I only accomplished one. When I set three or five goals, however, I was able to achieve all.

  • Set goals for all areas of your life.
    Don't just use this process for your business goals, try them out on spiritual, family, fun and character building goals as well.

  • Make your 90 day goals specific.
    Instead of, for example, "Establish my mortgage email marketing campaign," try "By April 1, 2008, I will have sent out 3 email newsletters."

    Instead of "Exercise for 30 minutes 5 days a week," try "By April 1, 2008, I will have accumulated 1500 minutes of exercise."
What if you've already created your list of resolutions? That's easy - just split the list and focus on 3-5 of your goals over the next 90 days.

If you find yourself year after year unable to accomplish those New Year's resolutions, I hope you will try 90-day goals instead. I would love to hear how these work for you.


JC Kadii, Mortgage Virtual Assistant . Through http://www.close-more-loans.com/, JC leads a team providing top notch administrative, internet marketing, and technology services to mortgage professionals.

Comments(15)

Kurt Vierheller
Flagstar Bank - Wilmington, NC
Nice Post. I did not make Resolutions this year. I kept everything realistic this year.
Jan 24, 2008 02:28 PM
Libby Cousins
Extraordinary Processing - Spokane, WA
Contract Mortgage Processor, licensed in WA
That is a fantastic idea! Thanks for sharing. It makes sense and reminds me of college. When I was on the semester system, it was hard to focus for a little over 4 months on a class. As soon as I switched to a college on the quarter system, I made the Dean's List every quarter without fail. It is amazing how breaking things into smaller chunks of time really helps. Thanks for the reminder and I am going to try that this year!
Jan 24, 2008 02:35 PM
Ryan Hukill - Edmond
405home @ ERA Courtyard - Edmond, OK
Realtor, Team Lead
Great approach.  It's all about doing something that gets you outside your comfort zone, but that's also attainable.
Jan 24, 2008 02:37 PM
Diane McDermott
RealtorĀ®, GRI, Landis e2 Real Estate, LLC - Charlotte, NC
Charlotte NC Real Estate Market
Great Idea! I like that it breaks it down into segments that seem more realistic, I don't do New Year's resolutions, smaller time frames with a big picture in mind are key. Great post!
Jan 24, 2008 02:39 PM
Jackie - computer-training-atlanta.com
770.498.7333 - Atlanta, GA
Learn to leverage technology to get more done.

Kurt - here's hoping you achieve your realistic goals.

Libby - My college changed from the quarter to the semester system, and let me tell you - that was not a pleasant experience.

Ryan - that's a good way of putting it.

Diane - thanks for the feedback.

Thanks for commenting, everyone. I look forward to reading your posts as you implement your 90-day goals.

Jan 24, 2008 11:03 PM
Lizette Fitzpatrick
Lizette Realty - Richmond KY - Lexington, KY
Lizette Realty, Lexington KY MLS - Kentucky Homes
Thanks for stopping by my blog! Love this idea of 90 day goals. I am terrible about setting a goal. I have 2 taped to the top of my computer screen to attempt a change.
Jan 25, 2008 01:04 AM
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com
I've typically done hourly/daily/weekly and monthly goals... with them being a breakdown of a yearly goal. This appears to be better. I'm going to give it a shot. Thanks, Jackie.
Jan 27, 2008 04:29 PM
M A
Boston, MA

Jackie - This is a great idea and I'm going to be instituting it!  Let's see how it goes!

BTW... thanks for commenting and bookmarking my "Inspired by my Toaster" post

Jan 29, 2008 11:31 PM
Jackie - computer-training-atlanta.com
770.498.7333 - Atlanta, GA
Learn to leverage technology to get more done.

Lizette- You're welcome. I think seeing those goals every day will work on your subconsious, and you'll get closer than you expect.

Chuck - let me know how it goes, please.  I'm thinking of creating a post to share my goals.

Martin - you're welcome; I enjoy your zany sense of humor.

Jan 30, 2008 12:17 PM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate
Hi Jackie:  You've put forth a very realistic way of changing behavior for the better.  I think your idea is much more "real world" than many others I have seen.  Thanks for sharing...
Feb 01, 2008 05:11 PM
Karen Hubert
Center Stage Design-real estate staging, Ancaster/Hamilton - Ancaster, ON
Home Stager
Thanks Jackie, I will try to incorporate the 90 day process into my life and business.  I really like the way you put the exercise part.  I'm going to do that.
Feb 01, 2008 11:36 PM
Jackie - computer-training-atlanta.com
770.498.7333 - Atlanta, GA
Learn to leverage technology to get more done.
Karen Anne and Karen H. - Thanks for commenting.  I am thinking about writing a post to encourage others to share their 90-day goals.
Feb 02, 2008 11:23 AM
Kim Wood
The Tech Byte - West Chester, PA
Kim Wood ~ The Tech Byte
oops. Sorry I missed this ! Great idea! 90 days is a shorter time frame to think about things....  great post!
Feb 06, 2008 12:54 PM
Jackie - computer-training-atlanta.com
770.498.7333 - Atlanta, GA
Learn to leverage technology to get more done.
Kim - thanks for the comment (and the feature)!
Feb 11, 2008 07:48 AM
Ray Nellum
Envision Real Estate Group, LLC. - Fort Smith, AR
Fort Smith Real Estate

That actually makes great sense Jackie, and I think it is something that I am going to try to implement into lifestyle and business.

 

Feb 25, 2008 09:32 AM