Smart New Year's Resolutions

A better year is in store

You probably have no more willpower than the next person, but it is possible to make New Year's Resolutions that stick.

It isn't how much you want to do what you resolve, it's how you plan to do what you resolve.

Resolution?
Drunkenly babble a few heartfelt wishes as the clock strikes midnight.

Or

Resolution!
Design your resolutions as SMART goals.

• Specific
• Measurable
• Attainable
• Realistic
• Timely
  

Personally
I want to do more voting with the family dollar to support environmentally sound industries and improve the nutrition of family meals, so...

Organics
Wishy washy resolution
Buy more organic groceries. 

SMART resolution

1. Buy organic bananas and apples from the local health food supermarket
2. Buy organic baking flour from the local health food supermarket

Food processing
Wishy washy resolution
Buy fewer processed foods

SMART resolution

1. Replace at least one kids' lunchbox food with a wholegrain alternative
2. Replace at least one basic dinner choice with a wholegrain alternative 
3. Experiment with one basic dinner choice from scratch instead of bought packaged

So what's so SMART about it?
There's no difference in the emotion and desire behind either version.  But the SMART version will be something you can easily see yourself doing, or more importantly, notice when you are not doing it.  The wishy washy version fails because you can't be certain you are achieving or failing.