I don’t know about you, but I am over New Year’s Resolutions. It’s not surprising with the world we live in that this old tradition has been capitalized on and has become a ‘money making’ catalyst to so many industries.

Have you noticed how busy your gym is right now? Have you been waiting in line for the elliptical, did you get bumped off your spinning bike? What about the wait at your doctor, masseuse or natural health practioner? It is incredible how many people ‘buy’ into the messages that are coming at us in the New Year; “lose weight”, “eat healthy”, “and take better care of yourself”.

What’s up with our culture if in the first 3-weeks of January people focus on what matters to them and take better care, but after this time they revert to their old habits and repeat this ridiculous cycle? Let’s call it ‘mediaendronitis’ for fun and let’s put it aside for a moment and look at New Year’s Resolutions as ‘Goal Setting’ which in my opinion is what it should truly be:

Goals should be set and written down!

In January, September or June, it doesn’t matter when, just as long as it happens and that they are revisited on a quarterly basis. One famous study from Yale in 1953 said that the 3% of Yale graduates who had written goals had more wealth years later than the other 97% of the class combined.

Goals should be S.M.A.R.T. with a twist!

The traditional acronym stands for; Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic and Timely, a perfectly fine and proven method. However with a twist (CTI’s method); Specific Measureable Accountable Resonant and Thrilling, your goals will be unique to you (not what the mediaendronitis is spewing out) and inspire you to achieve them. Ensuring that you have created accountability either with a friend, colleague or coach is also a key ingredient in realizing your goals.

The bottom-line: set goals, write them down and make them thrilling and resonant to you so that when ‘New Year’s Resolution’ time comes there is no ‘resolutions’ to make.

Christie’s Health Goal:
Run ½ Marathon by end of 2009 with Natalie and wear a crazy piece of clothing while doing so!