By Annabelle Macford Okwara

At the beginning of every year, we hear people say words like “I have made my New Year resolution”. Or ask questions like “have you made your New Year resolution”? But very, very and very few of us stop from time to time to reflect on whether these “resolution(s)” are being kept, not until the end of the year when we have to make yet another set of resolutions for the next year.

For those of us who have made resolutions, do you have it scribbled down somewhere? Have you set a periodic evaluation time table? Do those resolutions include reaching out to others?(I’m not trying to preach, but If it sounds like such, pardon me, who knows…it may just be on my resolution list for the year). I want to believe that 99 percent of humanity has made resolutions to be better people this year, these people will include those in the corporate world. So I’m wondering if you included being a better person in 2014 in your workplace as part of your New Year resolution. Not there? You need to add that right away.

Your boss complained a lot about you in 2013? You need to make a resolution. Your colleagues had series of issues with you in 2013? It is time to right the wrong with this opportunity called 2014. You read books and made decisions in 2013 but those decisions never saw the light of day, it is time to try again in 2014. But this time, don’t just make decisions; take a step to see that they become a reality.

If we could only draw a distinction between a dream and a goal, that may help.  They both should work together but still are different. If you dream about being the best staff in your workplace and don’t set goals to achieving that dream, it will remain what it is: a dream. Having a set goal is like taking the first step, but not actualizing that goal is like losing focus of where your destination is after the first step has been taken.

Take a decision that in 2014, your picture will be put out as the best staff of your organization, take a decision that at the end of the year you would have progressed because you will be given an award as the best staff of the year. Now if you have set those goals, what would you need to do to actualize them?

Stick to the rules. It is that simple. When there have been laid down rules in any organization you find yourself, determine that you will never break any of those rules. Even if your other colleagues are going against those rules, because you have a set goal, don’t be swayed.

Keep it to yourself. You don’t need to go about with a signage on your head reading “I’ve made resolutions”. It is actually supposed to be personal.

Have a checklist. Have some of your new goals written down and constantly go back to them as a reminder. It acts as a guide as well.

Make obvious and positive changes. Making changes could include, wearing a smile if you haven’t been doing that. Change of wardrobe (if necessary), being polite, being courteous, being pleasant, having a neater hairdo/haircut and not going back to the old you after two months but seeing it to the end of the year.

Be Innovative. This comes with knowledge. You need to be knowledgeable to proffer reasonable and tangible ideas. Move ahead of others around you, go beyond the borders, whatever you do, just be innovative.

Be persistent. Insist that these goals that have been set must be accomplished, only you can make them happen, do not tell yourself that it can’t be done.

Where there is need to adjust your plans, feel free to do so, but make sure they are still in line with where you are headed. So don’t just make those resolutions, ACTUALIZE them.

Welcome to a brand New Year.