4 Ways To Improve Your Life In 2011

I don’t do January resolutions.  I simply do not believe a person can change because of a date on a calendar.  Research shows that as many as 80% of us fail in our New Year’s resolutions!  Gym memberships are used for about 3 weeks and diets last less.  Cigarette manufacturers see dips in sales every January only to be back on track by February.  The bottom line is that change must come from within.  January 1st is just another external pressure that makes people think they should do something differently when really they don’t want to change. 

Here’s the good news.  Change doesn’t have to be overwhelming.  The key is setting manageable goals and following through.  You can make your life better a little bit at a time until one day you look back and see that a transformation has taken place.

So here’s a simple 4 step process to make your world better.  The ideas go from simplest to most complex but nothing on this list is complicated.  Like the plan of any good coach, a strategy can be effective but success comes from proper execution.  What areas are you working on?  I’d love to hear your ideas at the end.  Happy New Year!

1. Mix it up.

If consistency is king then variety is his queen.  Routines are important, but they can also turn into ruts.  When’s the last time you added a wrinkle to your plan?  Even if you love a strict regimen don’t forget about the people around you (spouse, kids, friends) who may not share your enthusiasm for color-coded cleaning charts.

You’ll find surprising satisfaction in simple alterations to your life.  How about changing your voicemail message.  It’s time.  We’re all sick of hearing that dull recording from last century.  Try making new dishes or visiting unfamiliar restaurants.  You know what areas of life are getting stale.  How can you freshen/liven things up a bit?

2.