5 Ways To Achieve Your Resolutions in 2013 by Jared Kleinert

It can’t almost be 2013, right? Am I the only one who can’t believe a new year is upon us?

I think we all go into the New Year with new goals and resolutions, but sticking to them is where it gets tricky. We can have the best intentions, but there’s intention and then there’s action. Two completely different things. You can intend to do something, but without action, it’s simply nothing. That’s why I when I read good friend and rising startup entrepreneur, Jared Kleinert’s, post on AliveNDead.com, I just had to share it on iamtessa! Below Jared breaks down ‘Five Ways To Achieve Your Resolutions in2013′, which is really fancy code words for: five ways to take ACTION and go beyond intention. Can you take action in 2013 and achieve your resolutions? With Jared’s help, I think you can.

Five Ways to Achieve Your Resolutions in 2013

By Jared Kleinert

New Years is creeping up as 2012 fades away (although personally I think there is still time left in the year to be disruptive). We have all undergone a few system failures (see Sandy Hook and procrastination around the fiscal cliff) and a few personal failures (there is a couple of important relationships in my life I wish to mend and bring back to stronger ties than ever before), yet we have also had many successes this past year (we survived 12.21 and the start-up community is growing). I would be safe to assume that many of us are starting to look towards 2013 and the things we wish for. As our resolutions form, we must acknowledge that the year ahead is a path of uncertainty; we don’t know what will happen or when things will occur. Curve-balls will be thrown our way, as will gifts of help. I challenge all of you to make your New Year’s Resolutions, and then embrace them wholeheartedly in the face of uncertainty and accomplish your goals.

Below are 5 things that will help you tackle uncertainty in the new year so you can be prepared to achieve your resolutions

1) Strengthen Your Current Relationships, and Reach Out to Make New Ones: 

Have you ever heard the saying, “A finger by itself is easy to break, but if you put all five of your fingers together and make a fist, it is nearly impossible to break it.” In 2013, start achieving your goals by first strengthening your connections. First, in your family. Then, with close friends. Finally, with your entire network. Having people around you that support you and care about you will push you closer and closer towards reaching your goals.

2) Save some money

In a world of limitless opportunity, you can be certain that the moments opportunities arise are uncertain. Start achieving your goals in 2013 by first saving a little bit of money. Chances are, a couple of your goals will need monetary support down the road, and having a reserve to fall back on or tap into during opportune times can mean the difference between being able to accomplish your goals and never starting on your path towards reaching them.

3) Exercise 

I understand one of your resolutions may very well be to exercise more, but don’t forget that this can also help you accomplish your other goals as well. Exercise can improve your mood, which is vital to how you impact others (see #1) and your own personal satisfaction in your work and personal life. Exercise also boosts energy, which will be necessary to achieve any worthwhile goals you have in sight. Finally, exercise will break down stress that may be halting your progress in achieving your New Year’s Resolutions. So, this year, embrace uncertainty by first embracing exercise.

4) Make a plan

Winston Churchill reminded us that, “He who fails to plan is planning to fail.” Although an overdone plan is as useless as the paper it is written one, having a solid plan will help tackle uncertainty in the upcoming year as far as reaching your goals. Luckily for you, you no longer need paper. Just in time for your Resolutions is a new app called Everest that helps you attain your goals by breaking them down into small steps that you can accomplish quickly, leading you to attaining your ultimate goal. However you do it, make a plan, pivot where needed, and continue towards your goals.

5) Reflect on 2012 

The best way to move ahead is to start by looking back. Consolidate your thoughts and memories, and learn from all the successes and failures of the past year. Whether it was the best year of your life or one you wish you could forget, there is great value in reflecting on what happened. Hopefully, you can take those lessons and apply them towards achieving your goals for 2013 and in the future.