Perpetuus Calx – Resolutions that Last

The new year has started and provides us with the opportunity to think about where we are, where we want to go and how we go about getting there. In short, we have thought, and in many cases made, our New Year’s resolutions.

 The idea of the New Year’s resolutions has unfortunately been tarnished by time and personal experiences. A number of notable newspaper columnists go so far as to suggest that because so many resolutions get broken, you shouldn’t bother making them in the first place. And while it is true that at least 80% of the resolutions this year are already consigned to the trash can of life, I think the idea misses the point. It is about the resolutions that last the distance and make the difference sought in the first place.  The thing most people don’t think about is that other word for resolution is GOAL.

Anyone that has read any self-help book or business building manual in the last 20 years, or for that matter have decided to watch Dr Phil, know about the goals (or resolutions) that don’t work. They are the goals that are vague, unmeasurable or simple unattainable. They are generally a good intention with no possible follow-through such as “I will be more attentive in class”, “I will make my business grow” or even “I will lose weight this year”. They are great ideas with no direction and with no way to know when you get there.

Likewise we have all heard about the goals that work, the SMART goals (or one of half a dozen other variants). Simply put the goals that work are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timetabled. You should know what you want to achieve and when you will know you have made it. Your goals should be relevant to your current situation and be able to be reached. You should have a stated time to reach your goal.  So whilst “I will grow my business” might not be so great, “I will increase revenue by 10% by June by targeting product line x or service y” fits the bill. Writing down the goal and coming back to it several times before your target date can also help and make it one of the goals or resolutions that last.

In the end, the New Year’s resolution is about finding the time and space to reflect on the journey thus far, look about where you are right now and start on the path to where you want to be.  There is no perfect time for setting goals and planning, but you are served much better by the goals you have than the ones you don’t. As the adage goes, “He who aims at nothing is sure to hit it”. There are times that seem to lend themselves to reflection and goal setting and planning. New Year is one of them. A New Year’s resolution is a good way to start the year with a plan that can make the difference.

So in this stream of thinking, what are Mtraining’s New Year’s resolutions? Well, we’ll play that a little close to the chest. Some of the ones that I’m throwing into the ring and that excite me are:

• Find at least 5 emerging or new technologies and pilot their usage with students by years end
• Create a bank of over 100 new Point Of View training resources (videos) by June 
• and personally, I’d like to help at least a few hundred excellent trainers reach their learners more effectively through innovative use of technology this year

2009 contains some awesome and really exciting possibilities. Our New Year’s resolutions are aimed at making them become real. 

What are you aiming for? Post a comment or contact us and let us help you get there.