Fewer than 2 percent of the people who make New Year’s resolutions actually achieve them, so why would you waste a minute setting them? The true reason is that it gives you hope that the next 12 months will be better than the last. If you have ever set the same goal year after year, why don’t you just stop the insanity? Stop setting goals and start taking the initiative through personal responsibility. Here are the top five goals people set and that 98 percent of those people are never going to come close to achieving.

1. Lose Weight

Don’t join a gym because the only exercise you will get is writing out the check. My suggestion? Personally I hate the gym but I go just about every day – early! And yes, you do have time and you can make it a priority. Read this from LiveStrong.com.

2. Budget

Practice self-control and take personal responsibility. Pay cash for everything, especially large purchases. Get more plastic—debit cards only. There are some great points in this post.

3. Debt Reduction

Add up your debt. Determine a date when you want the debt retired and gone. Divide the debt by the number of months, weeks or days. I recommend weeks. Yes, this is difficult, but you should also calculate what you are paying in interest. You are throwing your hard-earned money to someone else. More on debt reduction here.

4. Learn Something New

A lifelong learning framework encompasses learning throughout the life cycle, from cradle to grave and in different learning environments: formal, nonformal and informal. Just focus on improving your skills 10 minutes a week! It’s probably more than you do now. Here are 15 great steps.

5. Volunteer and Help Others

Resolve to replace the pursuit of success and materialism with the pursuit of contribution and generosity. For this to occur, the critical question is: “What can I contribute that will significantly impact other people’s lives?” By focusing on what we can contribute, we automatically become successful. Read more here.

Fewer than 2 percent of the people who make New Year’s resolutions actually achieve them, so why would you waste a minute setting them? The true reason is that it gives you hope that the next 12 months will be better than the last. If you have ever set the same goal year after year, why don’t you just stop the insanity? Stop setting goals and start taking the initiative through personal responsibility. Here are the top nine goals people set and that 98 percent of those people are never going to come close to achieving.

1. Lose Weight

Don’t join a gym because the only exercise you will get is writing out the check. My suggestion? Invest in a Wii Fit Plus. It’s fun, and the games at least get you moving more than you did last year. And yes, you do have time. Try http://micurl.com/jrsCA

2. Budget

Label envelopes with your budgeted necessities such as rent, food, utilities and so on. Cash your paycheck and fill the envelopes first. Make a list of all the debt you owe and the consequences that will happen if these payments are not made. Get more plastic—debit cards only. Try http://micurl.com/ozElF

3. Debt Reduction

Add up your debt. Determine a date when you want the debt retired and gone. Divide the debt by the number of months, weeks or days. I recommend weeks. Yes, this is difficult, but you should also calculate what you are paying in interest. You are throwing your hard-earned money to someone else. Try http://micurl.com/BqEfi

4. More Quality Time with Family & Friends

You must consciously decide every day to work actively and purposely at improving your family situation. Block time in your calendar and treat this time as importantly as you do the time in an essential business meeting. Try reading this book: http://micurl.com/qzgip

5. Find A Soul Mate

Romance is alive and well as more people are looking for that special someone. You must stay open and flexible. But be true to yourself. Insist on one ground rule: Stay open to each other’s passions. Try http://micurl.com/vflFk

6. Quit Smoking

Becoming a nonsmoker is probably one of the best decisions you can ever make, and is a life-changing as well as a life-saving decision. The resolution to become a nonsmoker will also help you to live longer and enjoy the finer things in life. Need help? Try http://www.smoking-cessation.org/

7. Find a Better Job

To begin achieving this goal, examine whether your current career path matches your core interests, beliefs, values, needs and skills. Resolve to ask and answer those essential questions before making any new career changes. Even in this economy, companies are still hiring and promoting. Try reading this book (and yes, it’s mine): http://micurl.com/hfedo

8. Learn Something New

A lifelong learning framework encompasses learning throughout the life cycle, from cradle to grave and in different learning environments: formal, nonformal and informal. Just focus on improving your skills 10 minutes a week! It’s probably more than you do now. Try http://micurl.com/ByiuD

9. Volunteer and Help Others

Resolve to replace the pursuit of success and materialism with the pursuit of contribution and generosity. For this to occur, the critical question is: “What can I contribute that will significantly impact other people’s lives?” By focusing on what we can contribute, we automatically become successful. Try http://micurl.com/xDuys

I post bits of information, motivation, personal responsibility and leadership quotes frequently. We get some VERY interesting conversations going on how to handle all kinds of issues. Take a look!

FACEBOOK: http://t.pm0.net/s/c?6h.bl2g.10.6yc6

WEBSITE: http://www.MarshaPetrieSue.com

TWITTER @mpsue: http://t.pm0.net/s/c

Do you have any thoughts on this?  Marsha

Do you think the founding fathers of the United States of America were waiting for someone to guide them? They were tired of the duty on tea that had not yet been repealed & the declaratory act of a right in the British parliament to bind this new country by English laws. They took risk.

You need to take risk. You must have some substance to base the risk on. Learn everything you can. Go to the library: read, study and apply. Turn off the boob tube. Take the leading role in your life. Be the founding father (or mother) or your own independence. And don’t listen to the toxic people in your life that want anything but you to be independent.

Happy Fourth of July! Marsha Marsha Petrie Sue, MBA, CSP

Photographer, Fisherman, Outdoors Woman and Wife to “The Boy Named Sue” Also a Professional Speaker and Author of a bunch of books and other stuff

Connect with Marsha:

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WEBSITE: http://www.MarshaPetrieSue.com

“The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd.” Betrand Russell.  As a personal development expert these thought help workplace conflict resolution and will increase productivity.

I know how to keep my power by maintaining control. I create my own environment that nurtures my success. I am the master of my future, my stress level, and my own behavior.

Happy New Year!  Marsha
http://appadvice.com/app/345202252
The Reactor Factor free download iPhone/iTouch app

Success is really about personal responsibility.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Marsha

How did we become a me, me, me, society? What happened to conflict resolution skills and personal development? Why do people feel entitled to act and say any way they want?

There seems to be no real penalty because the behavior has become acceptable. Celebrities and people in the public eye have a responsibility that few appear to acknowledge. Their behavior, the way they conduct themselves, the unacceptable statements they make, and how they conduct their personal life, become the standard and role model for many others.

The entitlement attitude in the workplace is killing success and business. Nobody owes anybody anything. If you, or people in your life, need an instruction manual, please check out The Reactor Factor: How to Handle Difficult Work Situations Without Going Nuclear, where steps are outlined to take control … even if you are laid off or “down on your luck.” Check out the book trailer <http://taylormediagroup.com/marsha/reactorfactor_amazon.mov! I want everyone to have hardcore skills for responding instead of reacting … and have fun doing it!

Anyone can prevent getting sucked into all the ugliness of the workplace and stop the negative spiral. Can you:

§  Manage those spoiled brats in the office?

§  Dump your own entitlement attitude.

§  Get a grip on office politics, and the grapevine?

§  Shift your focus if you are laid off and need to find a job?

§  Manage anxiety when you give a presentation?

§  Use social networks to grow your business?

§  Apply survival tools for the meetings that are time wasters.

So the choice is to react or respond. How about personal responsibility? Do you choose to knee jerk or use the personal development skills that get you to the success you desire?

And if you feel so compelled, could you please pass on this message about my new book, The Reactor Factor? Thanks so much!  Marsha

Leading  Gen Y can be challenging.  So here are some of the ideas I’ve learned from top leaders. Conflict resolution will be easier and you will set up parameters to help the entire group take personal responsibility.
1. Keep the door open but don’t become a doormat.
2. Easy to get along with – they are highly sociable.
3. Leave egos and arrogance at the door.
4. Be eager to help them achieve balance.
5. Give them “spot” reviews frequently.
6. Stay open to even the most radical thinking.
7. Good news? They think outside the box.
8. Walk your talk at all times.
9. Verify that they do want straight talk and no fluff…  and #10?
10. Delegate to them appropriately and give positive feedback.
I would recommend Eric Chesters blog too. What do you do that helps?  Marsha

ps: Just one week away!  I am very excited!!  The release of my next book.The Reactor Factor: How to deal with difficult situations at work without going nuclear!  http://www.ReactorFactorBook.com

San Diego brought a new sense of enlightenment to me when I passed this statue running one morning. This statue titled Shedding the Cloak made me ask, “What mask am I hiding behind?” I believe being truly authentic leads to the road of success. You need to feel good about you before anyone else does. Perhaps this is the reason that many successful people are not happy with their lives because they are hiding under a false cloak.

And in Popeye’s words, “I am what I am.” Feeling self assured and confident does not always come naturally so think about what you do to make yourself feel good about YOU. Internal communication development to speak positively about you is a good place to start. This increased awareness helps your decision making skill and certainly helps your conflict resolution techniques, both internally and externally.

Just like the Metal Sculpture, there’s gold under there! So what is the cloak you will shed?