It is a new year. This is the time when many of us make a list of things we want to change or work on. Maybe you want to change yourself or maybe even change the world.
About half of all American adults (48%, according to a Marist poll taken in December) say they are at least somewhat likely to make a New Year’s resolution this year. Their top vows: to lose weight (19%), quit smoking (12%) and exercise more (10%). (From Yahoo)
There were plenty of articles written about how to keep your New Year’s resolutions; Yahoo, The Huffington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and Associated Content to name a few.
All of the articles I read had common suggestions; be realistic, make a list, and track it. It is no secret that whatever the case may be, the key to keeping your New Year’s resolution lies in the basics of goal setting and self-discipline. But none of the articles I read actually told you much more than this.
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I recommend one book that might change your life and how you work towards a goal. The book is The Power of Less by Leo Babauta . I first stumbled across this book when Chris Brogan did a video review of the book. I was so intrigued that I bought the book that same day and began reading it.
The Power of Less is well written and is an easy read. I flew through the book in about two days. The book gives practical advice about how to form new habits and how to accomplish big goals in your life. Leo covers 6 Principles
- Set limitations. By setting limitations, we must chose the essential. So in everything you do, learn to set limitations.
- Choose the essential. By choosing the essential, we create great impact with minimal resources. Always choose the essential to maximize your time and energy.
- Simplify. Eliminate the nonessential.
- Focus is your most important tool in becoming more effective.
- Create new habits to make long-lasting improvements.
- Start small. Start new habits in small increments to ensure success.
The book is full of practicle advice about goals and projects, time management, email, filing, and forming habits. This book advocates by doing less, you are forced to do the things the matter the most and that will make the biggest difference.
As of today, the book was about $14 on Amazon.com. Take a look at the author’s blogs if you are still not sure if you want to buy the book; ZenHabits, WriteToDone, and mnmlist.
Here are some addtional resources for keeping your New Year’s resolutions that I found interesting: 5 New Year’s Resolutions for SMBs, 5 Online Tools To Help You Keep Your New Year Resolutions, Top Web 2.0 tools to help with your New Year’s resolutions.
There are even iPhone apps to help you keep your resolutions, 10 iPhone Apps for Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions
Posted by Bryan McDonald (Follow him on Twitter)
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