Evolving – that’s my yearly resolution. While I love to reflect on the previous year to review what occurred and how my life progressed, I don’t love spending a lot of time with “resolutions.” Now this pains me a bit, because I am a goal-driven person in all aspects of my life. Defining goals, taking on challenges and then celebrating the successes is how I live. And I will debate with those who disagree, that this is the best way to move forward as a member of our American culture. Although, I do believe that other cultures find ways to evolve with less tactical means (and probably more peace).

Source: inmagine.com

But for me, it’s not about resolutions anymore…no more habit changing; no more wishful thinking; no more psychological bantering just because it’s January 1. I set goals all year long and work on accomplishing them.

What would happen if organizations only set resolutions at the beginning of the year? Would they die out as quickly as most individuals’ resolutions do? Probably, because they would be as well thought out as most individuals’ resolutions are…the same ones modified from year to year.

Organizations usually take a more strategic approach to their annual evolvement. It doesn’t really matter on the timing of the seasons, what matters is the ability to push the organization to be better. Effective organizations then take those goals and break them down into steps that work, building in check points along the way. These same organizations also review their internal strengths and weaknesses and look externally at the environment around them. That way they have a realistic understanding of the factors that will challenge how they accomplish their goals. These approaches can be used by individuals as well.

This year, instead of focusing on your resolutions, focus on your evolution. Think about these questions:
• What isn’t working well in your life?
• What changes will positively impact your life?
• What’s stopping you from making those changes (both internally for you and externally in your life)?
• If you made these changes, what other benefits might result (for you and others)?

See how this works? If you start to look at the real reasons needed for change, you’re already building in a success plan. And this should happen throughout the year. You should be reflecting regularly on how you feel, how you perform, how you impact others and then make changes. It doesn’t have to be a long, formal process; it can come in small increments. As you make changes to evolve into a better you, include others who want you to succeed and have fun with them.

If you’ve already set resolutions for 2012, keep going. Break them down into smaller, manageable parts and find ways to overcome your barriers. And keep on doing this…on February 12, March 18, April 6 (you get the idea). A fresh start or a needed change is when YOU make it happen. That’s the beauty of being human and having choices.

To your success!!