Business Person’s Strategy for New Year’s Resolution

A commonly asked question this time of year is, “What’s your New Year’s resolution?” The responses vary from person to person and even mood to mood. For many people the response has something to do with their eating or exercise habits. For others it’s about increasing time with family. For those of us with work never very far from our minds, we would be benefit from thoughtful contemplation about making New Year’s resolutions.

As leaders, we are frequently offering guidance and direction, which leaves little time to reflect on areas that we personally could and should improve upon in the coming year.

Instead of repeating what many have already recommended as “must have resolutions,” we suggest the following for you to consider in 2011.

It’s easy to make resolutions. For many of you, by the time you read this blog you will have already forgotten or given up your 2011 resolutions. Don’t worry you are not alone with 80% of people who make resolutions quitting. As leaders though, the burden to keep a resolution can be even greater—we have many people who are looking up to us and following our example.

Think of making a New Year’s resolution like you would if you were starting a new business or making a significant business decision. What affect will the resolution have on my current schedule and availability? What costs—both emotionally and financially—will keeping this resolution have on my family and work team? What is the implementation and accountability plan? You get the idea.

If we seriously contemplate the costs and need for an implementation plan that a prospective New Year’s resolution involves, the legitimacy of each resolution comes into focus.

What do you think? Would thinking about each potential resolution as a business decision better enable you to make and keep realistic resolutions?