I have a simple solution to the annual ennui that rears its ugly head this time of year. When the pressure mounts to create (and fulfill) New Year’s resolutions, do the opposite: Don’t make them. Instead, harness the “fresh start effect,” per University of Pennsylvania researcher Stewart D. Friedman, who found that a sense of new beginnings is actually a strong motivator. Use this renewed energy to build an action plan to grow your business by setting attainable goals for the year. Unlike resolutions, which often veer towards the vague (“make more money”), goals are detailed and actionable (“pitch five new clients every month”) and, therefore, lead to real results.
