BLOOMINGTON, IL - December 26, 2005 - New Year's Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It's a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. Since one of the most popular New Year's resolutions is getting organized, the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) has declared January as National Get Organized Month (otherwise known as GO Month.)

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Information:
Stephanie L. H. Calahan
Phone: 309.825.7833
Fax: 309.422.7665
questions@calahansolutions.com
www.calahansolutions.com

This Year, Focus on Goals Rather than Resolutions

BLOOMINGTON, IL - December 26, 2005 - New Year's Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It's a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. Since one of the most popular New Year's resolutions is getting organized, the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) has declared January as National Get Organized Month (otherwise known as GO Month.)

This year, do something a little different. Set New Year goals rather than resolutions. Oftentimes when we make New Year’s resolutions on December 31, they are forgotten by January 2! Goals, on the other hand, if written correctly, are revisited and attained!

Set Limits
National success coach, Brian Buffini, once noted that Americans significantly underestimate what they can do in a year and drastically overestimate what they can do in a week. Be realistic about what you can accomplish. As you create your goals, do not set expectations that they would all be accomplished at the same time. Every person, regardless of intelligence, age or education can only process a few changes at a time (if the changes are to be lasting.) Define no more than 5 major goals for the year.

How to Create a Great Goal
Make your goals vibrant - living - hold real meaning and you will attain them! A vibrant goal will help you retain focus on what you are trying to achieve as well as what it will take to get you there.

When you write your goal, make sure that it is "SMART"

Spacific - detailed enough to know exactly what you should do.
Measurable - you will have a way to know you did or did not reach the goal.
Attainable - the goal is something that is reachable.
Realistic - can you really accomplish this task?
Time Limited - set a date

So, a not so "smart" goal would say something like, "Loose weight." A "smart" goal would say, "Loose 3 pounds a month for a total weight loss of 36 pounds in 2006."

Visualize
Work to imagine and then write out what it will look like when you succeed.

Know your "Why."
Understand why you want to attain the goal and what benefit you will have once successful. 

Know the Cost of Attainment.
Understand the effort or cost to you in attaining the goal. What action steps will you need to take to accomplish your goal?

Know the Cost of Non-Attainment.
What are the consequences if you do not make your goals? What will happen if you are not successful?

Write it Out!
Studies have proven that goals that are written down are way more likely to succeed than those that are just thought about or verbalized.

To your success in 2006!

About Calahan Solutions and Stephanie L. H. Calahan
You Won't Have to Do it Our Way, Because We Help You Find YOUR Way!™

Calahan Solutions, Inc. (www.calahansolutions.com) is a premier professional organizing and consulting firm, serving a national and local clientele in corporate settings, home-based businesses, and residential environments.  Calahan Solutions, Inc. is a member of NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers), NSGCD (the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization), NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners), the McLean County Chamber of Commerce and the BBB (Better Business Bureau.)

Stephanie L. H. Calahan is a Professional Organizer and founder of Calahan Solutions, Inc. and www.calahansolutions.com - offering organization consulting for business, home and life.   Visit www.calahansolutions.com for free tips, free organizing reports, downloads, organizing products and service offerings. 

Direct comments or questions about this article, including requests for reprint rights, to:

Stephanie L. H. Calahan  - Calahan Solutions, Inc.
8 Shoreline Court
Bloomington IL 61704
Phone: 309.825.7833
Fax: 309.422.7665
questions@calahansolutions.com

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