What do Resolutions and Bananas Have in Common?

Question: What do Resolutions and Bananas Have in Common?

Answer: They both take about six days to go from ripe to rot.

It’s no accident that cold remedy commercials on TV give way this time of year to resolution-related sales pitches, most notably for weight lo**ss and fitness. The resolution season is in full swing by late December even though the flu season is far from over.

Many people are really good at creating resolutions and even those who decide not to risk any more self-inflicted broken promises pon der what they might improve, eliminate, or create in the upcoming year. Advertising agencies know that, even though we might resist participating in the annual resolution craze, the majority of us do think about the areas where we want to see improvements in the upcoming year.  The enthusiasm of a fresh new year is contagious.

For the vast majority of folks I know resolutions are like bananas – really delicious and appealing for about 6 days after which point they both get pretty rotten.

The reason resolutions don’t really last is because they are often expressed as some sort of wish and they are not coupled with effective goal setting to help them become a reality. Making a resolution without goals is like dropping a coin in a wishing well. We make a wish, drop in a coin (not a really big investment – is it?), and walk away hoping our wish will be granted.

If your resolution is to have any hope to last beyond the “rotten banana stage” you really need to invest a bit more time by getting out a pen and paper and creating some goals and some action plans to support it into reality.

If you are thinking “well I don’t really have a resolution but I sure would like to see some better business results this year” try this resolution on for size: “I resolve to get really good at goal setting”. Sure, I know I sound biased but it is only because I am. Goal setting works for those who learn to do it well.  I’ve yet to have a client or student tell me that goal setting was a waste of time or that learning to become really good at goal setting was a waste of effort. It is the single best investment you can make and the one with the biggest short-term and long-term payoffs.

If you are looking to make big changes in your business this year (more profit anyone?) I recommend you resolve to get very good at goal setting.  But mo re than that – get really good at using goals in ways that can super-charge your small business success. Knowing how to set and use goals can mean the biggest difference between having a year much like last year and making 2010 the year of your dreams. What’s more, Magnetic Goal setting is not boring, doesn’t mean tedious hard work, is as tasty as a ripe banana, and never goes rotten.

To learn more about Magnetic Goals register for the upcoming complimentary teleseminar on January 12, hosted by my friend and mentor Kathleen Gage, by Clicking Here.

(note: if you are a member of Kathleen’s VIP program we will be announcing something special for you on January 12. If you are a not a member please check it out by Clicking Here)

For information about the Magnetic Goals for Small Business Owners Home Study Course Click Here.