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Did you know that almost 11 percent of all gym memberships are made in January? That’s WAY more than in any other month, and that the most common of all New Years’ resolutions is to exercise more?

I’ll let you guess how many people keep those resolutions—and have to continue paying for those gym memberships they never use.

So making a resolution—a commitment to permanently change forever may not be the best way to actually make any changes.

A resolution is a decision you make—something you intend to start or stop doing. It has no end in sight. You know, like deciding this is the year you’re going to exercise. Or eat well. Or save money.

A goal, on the other hand, is finite. It has a start and an end, and something specific you want to achieve in between. 

It’s much more effective to set SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based) goals so you can actually achieve your goals beyond February.

Creating New Year’s Goals

If you’d rather create goals than resolutions this year, we recommend you follow these techniques every day to achieve them:

1. Focus on three key tasks a day: list your top priorities for the day…and then accomplish them.
2. Block time to do deep work: allocate time for your big goals and fit everything else around them.
3. Eliminate distractions: for example, lock the door or turn off your devices.
4. Evaluate your day: did you accomplish your key tasks? What do you need to eliminate or improve on?

Have Your Say

What are your personal and professional goals for this year? How are you going to use these techniques to keep yourself on track? Is there a productivity strategy you love that we’ve missed? Tell us in the Spin Sucks community.

Resources

Blog post: Achieve Your Goals By Using These 7 Techniques.

Video: 7 Big Rocks:.

Book: Deep Work.

About Gini Dietrich

Gini Dietrich is the founder and CEO of Arment Dietrich, a Chicago-based integrated marketing communications firm. She is the lead blogger at Spin Sucks and is the founder of Spin Sucks Pro. She is the co-author of Marketing in the Round and co-host of Inside PR. Full bio