Getting Organized: My Unified New Year's Resolution and 5 Ways to Keep It

I'm not prone to make New Year's Resolutions because, like many, I tend to break them a week into the New Year. This year, however, will be different. I will not only make a New Year's Resolution, but it'll be one that I know I can keep.

Before I tell you my New Year's Resolution, let me explain two things: 1) I'm making ONLY one New Year's Resolution for 2009; and 2) Much like scientists seek a unifying theory to explain everything, my lone 2009 New Year's Resolution - my Unified New Year's Resolution - will improve everything else in my life.

My 2009 New Year's Resolution is to get - and stay - organized.

I know what you're thinking - "Oh sure! That's what EVERYBODY says they'll do! Good luck keeping that resolution!"

Fair enough. Getting organized is a pretty standard New Year's Resolution to make. But getting organized will improve my personal, professional and financial lives - and it'll even improve my health, too! As such, getting organized is the "Unified New Year's Resolution" - and that gives me motivation Besides - I've got five great ways to keep my New Year's Resolution:

1) Make a list. A big list. An enormous list. I'll make a list of everything I want to organize. I know me, however, and I know that if I try to tackle everything, then I'll wind up tackling nothing. The key to keeping this UnifiedNew Year's Resolution in 2009 is for me to take on one or two items at a time. For instance, I'll probably start my focus on my workouts and my finances. Once those items are organized, then I'll work on others.

2) Break it down. For those first two items I'll be tackling, I'll need to break them into smaller steps. Hey - I know this will take me some time, but it'll be worth it. A little time invested in planning out the steps now will help me free up time later.

3) Keep track. The only way for me to keep my Unified New Year's Resolution is to keep track of what needs to be done. There are a number of tracking I'm looking at now - from paper-based to online (e.g. RememberTheMilk.com and other "to do" list applications) to keeping everything on my smart phone. I'd like something portable, without the risk of ignoring my items. To encourage myself, I'll review the items I've marked as "done" from time to time.

4) End the day with planning. Once I nail down the tracking method to use, I'll keep my Unified New Year's Resolution by planning out - before going to bed - what I want/need to accomplish the next day. This will help me focus my attention and allow me to jump into my day without trying to set up my list before my first cup of coffee.

5) Get a promise buddy. A promise buddy - someone other than myself or family member who is trying to accomplish the same thing - is essential to sticking with my UnifiedNew Year's Resolution. Given I'll start organizing my finances and workouts, I may actually need two promise buddies - one for each item. We'll encourage each other and make sure we pressure each other to stay on track. Hey - there's nothing wrong with a little guilt to help stick with a New Year's Resolution.

Look, I know keeping a New Year's Resolution is tough. That's why I'm taking a multi-pronged approach. By taking the Unified New Year's Resolution a little at a time, planning and keeping track - and using a little self-inflicted guilt, I'm sure that I'll be able to keep it. Hey - I'm not taking any chances in 2009.