Kickin Off the New Year (Late)

Welcome,

Well it's a new year. Time for a new beginning. It may be a little late for a "new years resolution" on the BLOG but hey, I'm just running 10 days behind on getting it to the web. I have them written in my journal.

It's been a wild start to '08. I am finishing up '07 at a SkyGolf - and I had a great year. The family is finishing Christmas - spending the gift cards and cash. My band ,Off61, is getting ready for '08. It's been hectic but fun.

As I start this BLOG, I find myself do my typing in the Batson Children's Hospital ICU sitting by my son's bed. He is battling a Craniopharyngioma. It's a rare brain tumor. But, you will probably learn more about that in later BLOGs. This is about the new year.

I love how we have created the idea of "new year's resolutions." It gives us a chance to start over. But, how do you kick off a new year and succeed at those resolutions? It's easy. It starts with goals, then those are developed into a plan, and ends with action and accountability. It's that easy.

Goals are specific. They are measurable. They are attainable and believable. Over the next few entries, I will be breaking these down, explaining them in more detail and laying mine for the world to see. That's pressure!

Plans are your map. Goals should be set in stone. Plans - set them in sand. When "Plan A" does not work, be flexible enough to move to "Plan B", "Plan C", till you find the "Plan" that works.

The third component to success is two fold - action and accountability. This is where many people fail. It's where I most often fail. It's hard to to get started and then to place yourself into a position of accountability. You have to find someone who you respect. Someone who will hold you to you commitments. And they must be honest with you when you are failing. Let's face it, if you fail, you are not failing them. You are failing yourself. Here is a prime example from my life. I have set the goal to loose 52 pounds in a year - pound a week. How hard can that be? Then all of a sudden I find myself in May thinking, "OK, just 2 pounds a week for the rest of the year." Then all of a sudden October hits and I am thinking, "If I only eat one meal every other day, run two marathons a week, and shave my head, face, and legs, I can still make the 52." You get the picture.

For the next few days, We will break these down. And I will open myself up to you.

Happy New Year

Stephen