Did you know that an average of 78% of all New Year's resolutions fail? Do you have a New Year's resolution you are working on? What can you do to ensure that it is successful? Follow these tips to start this year out on a positive note:

• Pick One Thing - Don't plan to lose weight, get in shape, get more organized, and get promoted all at the same time. Even if there are multiple areas in your life that you would like to improve, start with the one that will give you the most benefit.
• Change Your Ways - Some say the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result. Have you tried to accomplish your New Year's resolution in the past and failed? If so, what are you doing differently this year? If your goal is to leave the office each day with a clean desk, what can you do differently to achieve this goal? Are you setting aside time at the end of the day to "clean up"? Do you have a "home" for items that need to be filed and things that require action?
• Be Positive - If you start your New Year's resolution off with "I'm hoping to..." or "I'm going to try...", then you are giving yourself an out. If you find yourself saying, "I probably won't achieve this, because..." then you are right. As Henry Ford once said, "If you think you can or you think you can't, you are right." Stay positive!
• Be Specific - I've talked about SMART goals in the past. A SMART goal is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time Sensitive. Your New Year's Resolution should be a SMART goal. If your goal is to 'get more organized', how will you know if or when you have achieved it? Instead, how about 'I want to schedule one hour each day to work on my highest priority item' or 'I will create a filing system for my office by February 12, 2011 at 5pm'.
• Share Your Goal - Research shows that if you tell others about your goal, you are more likely to achieve it. This provides some accountability and makes it harder to ignore. If others are aware of your goal, they can help encourage you along the way.

Whether your New Year's resolution has to do with getting organized or not, I hope these tips will help you achieve your resolution and make this year the best ever. If your New Year's resolution involves organizing your space, time, email or paper and you need some help, give us a call at 248-726-7096 or email us.