Pacer Group and Our New Years Resolutions...

Upon closing our doors today we shall say farewell to 2009 and take a fond look back and think about our successes and our triumphs as well as our trials and defeats. Most people we ask to reminisce about the year have the same passionate feelings: Good Riddance! This past year was one of the toughest for just about anyone, besides those working for repossession companies. As business slowed and jobs were lost, those who kept their jobs needed to work harder with less time and resources. It was just a tough year. So, let’s turn our attention to the New Year, even the new decade! Turning the calendar over we have a chance to start anew. The health clubs love this time of year, so do the small prepared mail order meals that help retired football players lose all that weight they gained after their playing days. The programs to help people quit smoking also love this time of year. Unfortunately, by the first part of February most people have forgotten about their resolutions or are resigned to go back to their old habits. We are all guilty of this.

Here is an idea: How about setting S.M.A.R.T. goals? This cleaver acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely. Using this practice to define your goals will help weed out the D.U.M.B. goals (by the way, I don’t have a cleaver acronym for D.U.M.B. – perhaps you can post some ideas in the comment section for entertainment – please keep it clean). Let’s take this one step at a time.

Specific goals: make sure that the goal setter is clear about their intentions. An example of an unspecific goal would be: “I’d like to lose some weight.” To make it specific, put a number to it – 12 lbs, 20 lbs or whatever.

Measurable goals: This is important so you can not only track your progress but formulate a plan to get there. Many people want to lose weight, but how much weight?

Attainable goals: This sounds so basic but many times this is where we go south. Set goals within reason.

Relevant goals: This may take a little more thought. We all have areas we wish to improve and as such we should set our goals to help us do just that. If my customer base is really small then I will set goals to get new customers. Keep the goals relevant to what you are trying to ultimately do.

Timely goals: This may seem so simplistic but is typically overlooked and often harder to define. Before we lose weight we have to exercise and diet, so put a time frame on losing 3 lbs, then 5 lbs, then 10 lbs and so on. This gives your goal some deadlines and makes you accountable for them.

Now that you have the fancy acronym to help you set SMART goals, you should now communicate them so that someone else knows you set this goal and can stay on you to see them through. Better yet trade your goals with someone so you can push each other and hold each other accountable. A goal without a plan is a simply a wish.

Pacer Group wishes all a very prosperous 2010! May all of your resolutions come true!