To say that I am not a fan of New Year's Resolutions would certainly be quite the understatement. While I loathe to admit such a fact, there was a time in my younger days when I too dabbled in said resolutions, but now, in my older and wiser days, I am a far better person in all areas of my life having left them behind. My thoughts today will be short, as this topic is not one with which I desire to spend much time or energy. My goals today are twofold -

1. I want you to also leave New Years resolutions behind. No more.

2. I want to introduce what I believe is a far more productive New Year's ritual that I believe will change your life for the better, far more than any resolution ever could.

As mentioned, I do not support the idea of the so called New Year's Resolution, though having said as much, I will concede that stating a goal for the new year and attempting to achieve said goal is certainly better than setting no goal(s) at all. My reasoning is simple...Why wait for the new year to start that one workout routine, sleep more, dedicate more time for studying, or achieve whatever other desires are in your heart? The truly productive and the highest of the high performers in life know that every day is an opportunity for a fresh start, that every day is an opportunity to set a new goal, achieve greatness, or conquer that next to-do list item. The truly great do not wait. The high performers in life are constantly evaluating and reevaluating their current position; they are always looking for ways to improve themselves, their business, their team, etc., and they certainly do not wait for the new year to initiate change in their lives.

As such, I would like to offer a different approach, one that I believe is a far better alternative to the standard New Years resolution. This is certainly not a new concept, and it is not my invention, but I have found it works extremely well for me, and I do believe it can and will work for the majority as well. 

The system -

1. Make Haste. Do not wait. Use every day as a New Year's Resolution opportunity to attack your goals with the vigor of an Olympic athlete in training, or a business tycoon orchestrating a merger or takeover. Strive to be better, and do it every day.

2. Use the new year as an opportunity to examine the previous year in review. Review goals, habits, rituals, routines, and results. Review what worked, what did not, and strategize for point three below.

3. Outline the coming year and beyond. Spend time in deep thought. Reflect on the big ideas of life and where you see yourself and where you want to be next year, two years from now, five years, etc..

Yes, point three sounds quite similar to a New Year's Resolution. I submit to you that reflecting on life's big questions and where you see yourself in five years is entirely different in the thought process needed than simply saying "I want to work out more" or what have you. Deep, personal reflection and thought is not so much a resolution as it is planning life, and the high performers revisit said plan weekly, monthly, and quarterly...as with daily goals, they do not wait until the new year to examine and reexamine their goals and plans.

I urge you then, do not fall into the New Year's trap. The majority of New Year's Resolutions do not last, and we need only look to gym attendance in late February and March to see as much...for we know the place is teeming with souls in January! Use every day as a new year. Use every day as a fresh start. Make "resolutions" day in and at out to train harder and smarter, study more, develop a higher level of personal discipline, etc.., Every day work to make your goals and dreams a reality; do not wait for the new year!