By Darrell L. Browning

New Year's and Resolutions seem to go together just like Bambi and Thumper. In terms of achievement, however, they don't. Don't be dispirited or give up on change should your resolve falter. First, recognize that most human beings improve with tiny steps--not grandiose resolutions. Human behavior rarely changes at will and is generally successful over a period of time. A simple declaration may work but honestly, how many resolutions can you check off your list this Spring?

That doesn't mean resolutions are worthless or that you shouldn't set goals to improve. Resolving to do something is the first step. It's what comes next that fouls up the works. Ordering yourself to change won't work, but taking small, organized steps will. In addition, you will do much better if you prioritize what you hope to change.

BrowningLaFrankie has worked with leaders on three continents and we can tell you with certainty we haven't met one so perfect they couldn't use some suggestions--simple suggestions--for improvement. And that's the first key to real improvement--break down and simplify the process into achievable steps.

Process is important, but so is organization. Rather than an impossible list, create expectations that are actually attainable. Instead of 10 resolutions, make three. Next, make a rule that you cannot move to the next on the list without meeting, solving or making significant progress on the previous resolution.

Finally, for continual improvement, when one resolution is completed, add another. In addition, consider implementing a specific time period to work on the more difficult tasks and come back to them in the next rotation.

At this juncture, you may have met some of your New Year's Resolutions, and, if so, we congratulate you. But we have to ask: did you tackle the easy resolutions first? That's not such a bad idea. We recommend alternating between easy and more difficult resolutions for better results. Multi-tasking is highly desirable--and patience is still a virtue. Remember, you have all year to work on your list.

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©BrowningLaFrankie 2008