--- title: Project U. Blog | new year resolutions description: new year resolutions | Tips and insights for managing your career and your wellness --- Call me at 781-690-2277 [![The Projectcoach](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/hs-fs/file-13948886-png/images/header_4_920x150.png)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/) # Project U. Blog ## ["SMART" Resolutions Create Success](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/bid/70117/SMART-Resolutions-Create-Success) Posted by [Catherine Saar](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/author/catherine-saar) on Thu, Dec 29, 2011 @ 02:32 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) What do you want to accomplish for yourself in the New Year?  Even though making ![new years champagne iStock 000018550149XSmall](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/hs-fs/file-13949051-jpg/images/new_years_champagne_istock_000018550149xsmall.jpg?width=155&height=233&name=new_years_champagne_istock_000018550149xsmall.jpg)resolutions is a good start, it’s not enough.  Getting results requires motivation and action.  Most of the time, we have a vague notion of what we want and absolutely no plan for getting there.  Is it any wonder that we fail? So how can you be more effective this time? 1) **What’s your motivation?**  First and foremost, answer this question:  WHY is it important for you to make this resolution happen?  A clear motivation will keep you going on the tough days.  Can you see the difference between saying, “I want to lose 15 pounds,” and saying, “I want to look hot, hot, hot at my 20th reunion in June –so I’m going to lose 15 pounds!”  One is only a goal, the other, is a motivation with a goal attached. 2) **Turn resolutions into “SMART” goals that are specific, measureable, actionable, realistic and time-oriented**.  Once you know what you want and why you want it, get specific.  Don’t just say I want to increase my income so I can afford a new car.  Specify how much more you are going to earn, and create a do-able plan for how you are going to make it happen.  Here’s an example of how you can break a resolution down into SMART goals: - **Specific**- Exactly what do you want? - I want to make $15,000 more by the end of 2012. - **Measurable**- How much and by when? - By May 1, I want to consistently earn  $500 more a week for the remainder of the year - **Actionable**– Can it be done?  - Can I increase my income by $500 per week starting in the first week of May? (I have the time to invest so it seems do-able if I implement a marketing plan early in the year.) - **Realistic**– Are you confident that you can take the necessary action? - I can add five client hours per week at $100 per hour and I can create and implement a marketing campaign no later than February 15th. - **Time-Oriented**– What will you do when? - Each week I will invest four “unpaid” hours in marketing and five more hours in client work to get to $15,000 or more by end of the year. 3)** Manage obstacles**.  You will face obstacles – we all do.  Sometimes obstacles live in your mind – like fear of the unknown.  Sometimes, they will be real, for example, you might need resources, information or time.  Brainstorm your obstacles.  How might you deal with them?  Who or what can help you?  Don’t be afraid of obstacles.  Work through them. 4)** Return to your motivation**.  Know that you will have difficult moments. Every time you feel like giving up, think about the outcome: how you will look and feel driving a brand new shiny, dependable car, or how great you will feel when you look fabulous at your reunion.  Keep your vision in mind – or draw a picture and post it. Re-work your plan if need be.  Set new, additional goals  weekly and measure your progress. 5) **Congratulate yourself** for everything you do.  Every step toward your goal is progress.  Focus on what you achieve, not what you haven’t done! So, have fun writing resolutions, but if you want to get them done, make sure you have a plan and make sure you don’t blow yourself out of the water by creating goals that are unrealistic or unattainable.  Small and steady can win the race.  DOWNLOAD a [SMART RESOLUTION SUCCESS WORKSHEET](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/resources-0/) now, to help you realize your dreams in 2012!    [![Click me](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/39000/907479d8-d36b-410f-a78d-f1d3179e0dff.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/39000/907479d8-d36b-410f-a78d-f1d3179e0dff) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/bid/70117/SMART-Resolutions-Create-Success#comments-listing) Tags: [dreams](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/topic/dreams), [goal](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/topic/goal), [SMART](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/topic/smart), [accomplish](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/topic/accomplish), [motivation](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/topic/motivation), [create success](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/topic/create-success), [manage obstacles](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/topic/manage-obstacles), [download](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/topic/download), [free worksheet](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/topic/free-worksheet), [vision](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/topic/vision), [progress](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/topic/progress), [realistic](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/topic/realistic), [achieve](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/topic/achieve), [win](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/topic/win), [plan](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/topic/plan), [new year resolutions](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/topic/new-year-resolutions), [measurable](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/topic/measurable), [congratulate](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/topic/congratulate) [All Posts](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/all) ### Subscribe via E-mail ### Latest Posts ### Follow Me ### Posts by Month - [February 2019 (1)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2019/02) - [January 2019 (1)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2019/01) - [June 2018 (1)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2018/06) - [February 2018 (1)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2018/02) - [October 2017 (1)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2017/10) - [August 2017 (1)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2017/08) - [January 2015 (1)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2015/01) - [March 2014 (1)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2014/03) - [December 2013 (1)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2013/12) - [November 2013 (1)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2013/11) - [August 2013 (2)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2013/08) - [July 2013 (1)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2013/07) - [June 2013 (1)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2013/06) - [April 2013 (1)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2013/04) - [February 2013 (2)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2013/02) - [January 2013 (1)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2013/01) - [December 2012 (4)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2012/12) - [November 2012 (2)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2012/11) - [October 2012 (1)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2012/10) - [September 2012 (1)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2012/09) - [August 2012 (1)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2012/08) - [July 2012 (2)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2012/07) - [May 2012 (2)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2012/05) - [April 2012 (2)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2012/04) - [March 2012 (2)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2012/03) - [February 2012 (2)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2012/02) - [January 2012 (1)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2012/01) - [December 2011 (2)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2011/12) - [November 2011 (3)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2011/11) - [October 2011 (3)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2011/10) - [September 2011 (3)](https://www.theprojectcoach.com/blog/archive/2011/09)