1. I'll exercise more.
2. I'll spend more time with my partner.
3. I'll spend more time with my kids.
4. I'll get fitter.
5. I'll write that book.
6. I'll read that book.

Any of these sound familiar? How did you go with last year's new years resolutions? "Don't ask" most people have said to me. "But this year is going to be different!!"

Is it?

When I am in a playfully challenging mood I ask "Oh! And what makes this year different." "I am committed," the reply is fired back at me. "Ahh", I sigh "so you weren't committed last year?" "Well .... Um ," awkward silence. "Well I realise now I wasn't." I ask again "so what makes this year different?" Someone else joins us and changes the topic. I can tell the person I was speaking to is relieved. Would you be relieved is you were having this conversation with me?

Most people do not achieve or stick to their New Year's resolutions. Why? There are several reasons, but one of the most important is TIME. If you are going to change something significant in your life you must allocate time to do it or achieve it.

This is called effective time management.

Almost all the people I speak to make New Year's resolutions like they are wishing on a falling star. They expect that they will be able to make changes just because one day in January they decided to was a good idea to get fitter.

To have any chance of achieving your new year's resolutions you need to spend time on the resolution. If you don't have a time management system, how will you ever get around to making the time? You don't. So another year goes by and your New Year's resolutions fall by the way-side and you hope next year will be different.

Hang-on. WAIT a minute. If you live like this your life gets away from you - you MISS OUT on what YOU WANT.

If you have a New Year's resolution and a time management system then allocate time this week and next and the week after for your resolution. Now you have a chance.

And if you don't have a time management system, then your New Year's resolution should be to get one, starting TODAY. Find a system that suits you and implement it.

Action Exercise:

Do you have a time management system?

Do a stock-take of your time management system.

What tools do you use?
Do you have appointments in different calendars or diaries?
Do you lose notes, lists or task reminders (maybe on slips of paper)
Do you ever run late?
Do you know where your time goes?
Are you proactive with your time?
Do you protect your time?

A good time management system will help you with all these things. AND it will help you to achieve your New Year's Resolutions too!

For all of you with any money left, be aware of the next expected mergers so that you can get in on the ground floor and make some BIG bucks! Or at least a few LAUGHS.

Watch for these consolidations in later this year:

1. Polygram Records, Warner Bro s., and Zesta Crackers join forces and become:
Poly, Warner Cracker.

2. Hale Business Systems, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Fuller Brush, and W R. Grace Co. Will merge and become:
Hale, Mary, Fuller, Grace.

3. 3M will merge with Goodyear and become:
MMMGood.

4. Zippo Manufacturing, Audi Motors, Dofasco, and Dakota Mining will merge and become:
ZipAudiDoDa ..

5. FedEx is expected to join its competitor, UPS, and become:
FedUP.

6. Grey Poupon and Docker Pants are expected to become:
PouponPants.

7. Knotts Berry Farm and the National Organization of Women will become:
Knott NOW!