I’ve found that people don’t achieve their goals (and resolutions) because they don’t know how to make them in the first place. Try this proven method:

Make your Goal WAY SMART: Written, Aligned, Yours, Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistically High, and Time-bound. If it’s not WAY SMART, it’s not a goal.

Then ask WHY this Goal is YOURS: What are the personal rewards if you achieve it? What are the consequences if you do not? (Does it really matter to you?)

What are ALL of the POSSIBLE OBSTACLES that MIGHT keep you from achieving your goal? What has kept you from achieving it already? List them ALL.

For each obstacle, what is a possible SOLUTION(s)? (If you can’t conceive possible solutions, even with help, you may need to reconsider your goal.

Choose your best solution(s) for each obstacle and develop specific, dated ACTION steps, as well as who must be ACCOUNTABLE for each action step (you may need help).

Based on your action plan, choose your TARGET DATE for Success.

List several positive, believable AFFIRMATION statements about the person you must be to achieve this goal. Repeat them out loud to yourself at least three times daily.

If you find yourself not taking your prescribed action steps when the time comes, look back at WHY this is your goal. If you are not taking action, perhaps you are letting your mood of the moment interfere with the intention of your life. Or, chances are it’s not REALLY your goal at all, just something someone thinks you SHOULD do, whether you want to or not! (So it’s not really a WAY SMART goal after all!)

Set and achieve goals and resolutions that are meaningful and important to you in 2012, and find your way to The Intersection of Purpose and Now along the way.