James M. Berklan

Here we are a week into the new year and some smart alecks among us will want to know: Have you kept your New Year’s resolutions? Tell them to bugger off. And then grab a mirror.

At this time of year, it’s not so important that you’re keeping to new vows as much as it is you have chosen the right vows. If you lapse on a good resolution, you can always pick it up again. But if you’ve picked lousy or useless ones, you’re just going to end up with a lousy or useless result, one way or the other.

You’ll have plenty of company on the “relapsed” trail if and when you find yourself there. Just remember that it will still be worth getting to the finish line if you have worthy goals, even if it’s a bit later than originally planned.

The above is coupled with the stipulation that you not make too many vows.

The road to hell may be paved with good intentions, but the road to nowhere is paved with too many. If you burden yourself with excessive targets, you’re just going to get blocked by a pile of wreckage before you ever start.

Which gets to the overall key: Just do something. Inertia — staying at rest while the rest of the world moves — is your biggest enemy. Don’t allow yourself to be inactive, no matter what your pursuit or interest. Avoid paralysis by analysis.

Get some goals. Make them realistic (in number and scope). Get moving, and keep moving.

Have a great 2016.

James M. Berklan is McKnight’s Editor. Follow him @JimBerklan.