Form a SMART plan for resolutions

Published January 3, 2011 in the Culpeper Star Exponent

 

“Great actions are not always true sons of great and mighty resolutions.” Samuel Butler (1612-1680).  In other words, resolutions need action to be meaningful off spring of our intentions.  I have enjoyed reading the resolutions of my friends on Facebook, some of which are the normal popular “resolutions”, some are fun, some are truly inspired, some are simply poetic, and others… I worry about, LOL.

In researching the most popular resolutions, I found a list published by Uncle Sam at USA.gov as follows:  1) Drink Less Alcohol, 2) Get a Better Education, 3) Get a Better Job, 4) Get Fit, 5) Lose Weight, 6) Manage Debt, 7) Manage Stress,  8) Quit Smoking Now,  9) Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, 10) Save Money, 11) Take a Trip, 12) Volunteer to Help Others (think United Way). These are all good. They may even be great if they apply to you. What would it be like to have great resolutions become a mighty reality?

There are many definitions for the word “resolution”. According to Wikipedia, there are definitions for resolution that relate to Law, Logic, Debate, Music, and many others. My favorite in the context of New Years is not the one that Wiki suggests for New Year resolution – “a commitment that an individual makes at New Year's Day”. Rather, my favorite is the definition for resolution that relates to measurement, specifically “image resolution” – “a measure of the amount of detail in an image”.

Our resolutions are really images of what we would like to see in our future. Therefore, our resolutions are more like images. If the image is vague and unclear then the path to success is blurry and success is unlikely. However, if you define a very detailed mental picture of each New Year resolution, then success is more likely. One way to turn your resolutions into a personal improvement revolution is to picture your goal in a SMART image frame.

What is a SMART frame: First revolutionize your resolution with Specific’s – what does it look like – really spend some time here. Have fun with it. Write pages and pages, brain storming the specifics. If a resolution is weight loss – how will it feel to fit into those smaller clothes in your closet? How will it feel to have more energy? When will you look great? Next, make it Measureable. Is there a phone app to make it easy? Is the goal Attainable? You know your potential…. Make sure that it is Realistic. And finally, is the goal Trackable?

Follow the acronym for each goal to revolutionize your results this year with Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Trackable framed goals.  Upgrade the megapixels in your mental camera and picture clear details of your actions to personal improvement this year.

We love New Year’s Resolutions. We feel like the slate is clean and we have a new beginning. Take advantage of the momentum, frame the picture, focus the lens… Action!!!!