That being said, I feel I really need to share a few thoughts on the New Year.  I have been slightly surprised by the number of people I’ve spoken with in the last few days who seem to have negative attitudes towards New Year Resolutions and, as such, setting goals.

Wow!  Why is it something that people view with such wariness and cynicism?  It doesn’t have to be something to fear!

I think the main reason people don’t set goals is because in the past they’ve made a New Year Resolution in the heat of the moment, when they’re excited about the year ahead, but then when they settle down into the normality of life and their usual routine, that resolution suddenly seems out of reach, too hard or just plain ridiculous.  So they don’t even bother attempting to achieve it and now they figure there’s no point setting goals you’re never going to follow through on.

So maybe resolutions and goals don’t need to be set at the stroke of midnight on the New Year, when you’re several champagnes down.  Maybe, they should be set when you’ve had time to think about some realistic things you’d like to achieve throughout the course of the year, when you’ve settled back into the usual rhythm of life.

If I were to set New Year Resolutions or any goal for 2011, even if I didn’t quite stick to it all year or didn’t manage to completely accomplish my goal, at least I would have given it a good crack.  You see, it doesn’t matter if you “fail” to carry through your resolution, it matters that you gave yourself a goal to work towards and made it some of the way… that’s an accomplishment, not a failure!  Napoleon Hill taught me in his book “Think and Grow Rich“, that what the mind of man can conceive and believe, the mind of man can achieve.  For me the key is believing you can achieve, thus you will set achievable goals.

Your resolutions don't have to cost much and, in fact, they may actually save you money!

January and the New Year is always a period of renewal, starting afresh and beginning again… the world over.  So why not take a positive attitude to 2011 now and look for ways to make this year OUTSTANDING!

I understand that the current economic climate can be challenging but you don’t necessarily have to make a goal/resolution which is business or economically focused.  Maybe you could focus on resolving or improving a situation with your partner, family or friends or this may be a year of personal growth and inward reflection for you or the year you make some healthy lifestyle changes… whatever you think is most relevant for you.

Carpe D’New Year,

Gerard.

P.S.  I often get asked what Carpe Diem (my communication sign off) means.  It means Seize The Day, so Carpe D’New Year means Seize The New Year… and I really hope you do and make the most of it!

Most of us see January as a time for goal setting and planning ahead what we want to accomplish over the course of the year.

I thought I’d share with you some funny goals I read:

Maybe your goal for the year is to lose a little weight.

• I will polish my pate – Bald Person
• I will do less washing and wear more deodorant – Executive
• I will not regale the same story at every function – Incorrigable Bore
• I will remember that Cake Day is only on the 29th of every month – Foodie
• Finally, remember that a New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one Year and out the other!

I’m sure that over the years you’ve set some New Year’s resolutions of your own, maybe you stuck to them and maybe you didn’t… so to help you have your Best Year Ever, we decided to help you keep track of your goals for 2010 and the progress you’re making.

You may have fitness goals, personal goals, business goals, relationship goals… whatever it is, Geelong’s Gym can give you a tool to make sure you don’t forget about it by the end of January.  And it’s free.  Simply click here to get started.  The page says “Make That Decision NOW”, so sign up and let 2010 be your Best Year Ever – remember, it’s completely FREE.