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According to a recent article I read the top 3 New Year’s resolutions this past year (and in my opinion as far back as New Year’s resolutions go) were to stop smoking, to stop drinking, and lose weight. It’s interesting to think how the world would be different if only 10% percent more people actually attained their goals. Would Phillip Morris convert to making chocolate? Would the “All American Lager” be a bottle of Propel Fitness Water as opposed to a good ole bottle of Budweiser? As interesting as these scenarios are to envision the chances of any of them coming to reality are about as good as banking your retirement plan on scratching off 4 lucky crowns on a ticket you bought the day before your 65th birthday at your local gas station. So why then do so many people make goals and not stick to them?

During our last chapter meeting we had the pleasure of getting a hands on in depth presentation by Ingar Grev, president of “The Growth Coach” who explained why so many people miss ball while setting goals and helped us put in place a realistic plan that will stick. Ingar suggested that best way to start the goal planning process is to create a vision of where you actually want to be several years down the road. Next, we went through a series of mini flash cards that got at the core of why a certain goal was important to us. Once we had ascertained the importance of a goal we began to put together a 90 day action plan that would make the goal seem more manageable and get us well on our way in bite size chunks. So besides writing the goals down, deciding why they are really important to us and
breaking them up into chunks what else can one do to help improve the odds of achievement? Studies have shown that sharing your goals with close friends, family members and co workers will also substantially improve your odds.

For the large group that attended our chapter meeting I challenge you to share your goals with others and keep them at arms length. For those of you that may have missed Ingar’s great presentation it’s not too late!! The year has just begun and with your fellow Jaycees by your side you can still have a great and successful new year! In the coming months I, along with
our individual development VP (Megan Yonke) will be revisiting this goal setting exercise and hopefully hearing several success stories along the way. Then finally maybe just maybe Phillip Morris will be indulging us in rich milk chocolate and not lung cancer.

Warmest Regards,

Tom Cymer
President Arlington Jaycees 2010