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The Absolute Best Way of Making New Year’s Resolutions

December 6, 2006 by Ben Yoskovitz

Just don’t.

That’s right, don’t bother with New Year’s Resolutions. Does anyone really follow them?

If you do, good on you. But for most of us we make resolutions and in a matter of weeks (or even days) they’ve evaporated into yesterday’s wishy washy memories. Like what you had for lunch last Tuesday.

While cavorting around at open mic night at Successful Blog a few people were talking about New Year’s Resolution. Most admitted that they just don’t bother anymore because they never follow them anyway, and it leads to disappointment and frustration.

Christine Kane on the other hand had an inspiring way of tackling the problem. It struck me upside the head for its simplicity, authenticity and fun-factor.

“I choose a Word of the Year every year. Gratitude. Generosity. Creativity. Courage. And I let that word guide me through the year. It works way better than resolutions.”

Is anyone else having an “ah ha!” moment? Anyone?

I did. Maybe it was the fatigue, the absurd multitasking or the questionable chicken I ate for dinner. Or maybe Christine Kane is brilliant (I think that’s likely the case.) I won’t dwell on the reasons, because Christine’s idea hit me like a ton of bricks.

A word struck me too, like lightning. (Don’t worry, I’m OK, even though I was hit by a ton of bricks and struck by lightning at almost the exact same moment.)

Change

Then I asked if I could use two words:

Monumental Change

That sums up what’s coming in 2007 perfectly for me.

Christine then asked, “Ben… is that ‘creating’ change? Or ‘allowing’ change? (just wondering.)”

That’s an easy one for me to answer: Creating Change.

I’m not making any New Year’s Resolutions for 2007 — I already made them a few months ago and have been setting things up for monumental change. I’ve talked about some of that change, like my goal to start two new businesses by the end of the year. It’s happening.

People are most effective and successful when they make resolutions year round.

Make a resolution today. Set a goal today. Don’t wait for December 31st or January 2nd (you’ll be too tired anyway!)

You can’t delay when it comes to your own personal success!

[tags]new year, new year resolutions, christine kane, inspiration, setting goals, goal setting, personal goals, success, passion, 2007, holidays, christmas, personal development[/tags]

Filed Under: Personal Development

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Ben Yoskovitz

Founding Partner at Highline Beta, a hybrid venture studio and VC firm that works with large, ambitious companies to identify new areas of opportunity through internal and external innovation.

Previously I was VP Product at VarageSale and GoInstant (acq. $CRM), and Founding Partner at Year One Labs.

Angel investments include: Breather, Spoiler Alert, SendWithUs and others.

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