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!

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You may have never celebrated Groundhogs Day on February 2, but there is much to learn from them. What to learn from Groundhogs? They are excellent diggers, constructing a burrow with a main entrance and an escape tunnel.

If you are ready to move to the next level, dig and ask questions so you have information to create your own opinion of how to move forward; construct a plan and be flexible; and have an escape tunnel. Establishing a “Plan B” upfront will help you feel secure in your journey.

Start planning today to get your head out of the sand and take control. You are the one that must translate energy into superior performance. Take a stand and plan for what you want.

Groundhog Day grew out of a mainly German superstition that if a hibernating animal casts a shadow February 2 — the Christian holiday of Candlemas — winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow is seen, legend says spring will be early.

Like Phil, you are a unique resource. The lesson is to departmentalize your life to create success momentum and thrive.

Now start planning! Marsha

Pledge to yourself that you will improve your health and have more energy. That is the focus that helps. Here is some interesting information I read this morning about losing weight from the Collage Video newsletter and interestingly the focus is on high and low intensity exercise as well as SLEEP!!!

Weight loss tip: Get more sleep!

Columbia University researchers have rediscovered the importance of sleep. “People who sleep less than five hours per night are twice as likely to be obese.”

Why? Previous studies had found that missing sleep reduces leptin. That’s a hormone that helps control hunger by sending signals to the brain — “it tells the brain that we need more calories, and hunger is stimulated.”

So, a good New Year’s resolution: More exercise and more sleep!

Give your New Year’s resolutions a good look and you will have the same.

Marsha

This day, I accept the abundance and prosperity that is mine and willingly share it with others.  This day, I focus on the moment and give no thought to the past or to the future.  This day, I spend in total enjoyment of what I do. This day, I fill with loving thoughts and actions toward all other people and myself.  This day, I spend in grateful appreciation of all that is mine.  This day, this hour, this minute, this moment is all that I have and I choose to use it in celebration.

From the best selling book Shut Up, Stop Whining and Get a Life by Larry Winget

Wishing you the joy of family, friends, and giving thanks on this Thanksgiving Holiday. Take personal responsibility for everything you are thankful for in addition to knowing you, and only you, control your destiny.  Marsha

Toxic People has been nominated for the CEO-READ Business Book Awards.  Please vote for me!  And you can vote more than once!!  Go to www.800ceoread.com/bookawards  – and Thanks!!

Toxic People: Decontaminate Difficult People at Work without Using Weapons or Duct Tape
#1 bestseller on the “What Corporate America is Reading” from CEO-Read.
Available at www.Amazon.com and www.BarnesandNoble.com
www.MarshaPetrieSue.com