Each new year brings the promise of a fresh start and a renewed sense of purpose. We look back at the previous year and try to figure out what went right and where we might find some room for improvement. Then it’s time for some reflection and introspection (often accompanied by holiday deserts and a nice glass of wine or eggnog). What we glean from our food and alcohol comas are often the resolutions we are going to make for the upcoming year.

The most common resolution is, of course, lose weight and get in shape. This is also the most commonly broken resolution. For those who make a trip to the gym a regular routine, the first two weeks of the new year tend to be the hardest. There’s always a wait for your favorite treadmill, the weight machines are overrun with folks wondering how they actually work, and there’s never enough parking. Patience is your virtue here, as the majority will lose interest and suddenly find other things that are vastly more important in their daily lives.
From losing weight, we get into other healthier habits, such as quitting smoking, eating healthier foods and dieting, drinking less, and being less stressed. Valiant and noble goals, we applaud and encourage your quest for a longer life.
Finally, there’s the lifestyle changes that just make us better people. Some like to learn a new skill or language, spend more time with the family, volunteer, or travel to new places. All worthy goals and all making us more interested in life and more interesting in general.
One of the best ways to approach resolutions (goals, promises, vows, whatever) is to share and discuss what you would like to change and the approach you intend to follow. You’d be surprised how many like-minded people there are that can encourage and help you on your path to success. We decided to ask a few peers what their top three Event Resolutions were for the new year and what steps they would take to achieve their goals. Here’s a sample of what they had to say…

Pamela Patsavas (Freeman) – stay on top of industry publications and learn new and exciting apps for her iPad. http://www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/radio/2012/01/03/Event_Essentials_S3_Pamela_Patsavas
Ken Ash (Walt Disney World) – Get your Production team involved earlier in the process and avoid golf balls in your yard. http://www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/radio/2012/01/03/Event_Essentials_S4_Ken_Ash_
Shawnna Estrella (Show Ready Events) – Take care of her health while on the road and utilize social networking more for non-profit clients. http://www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/radio/2012/01/03/Event_Essentials_S2_Shawnna_Estrella
Jolene Jang (The Meeting Maximizer) – Watch two TED talks a day to spark creativity and create an app for Meeting Planners. http://www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/radio/2012/01/03/Event_Essentials_S5_Jolene_Jang

Listen to Event Essentials every Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. (repeats at 4:00 p,m., 9:00 p.m., and 2:00 a.m.) on www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com, where we discuss Events and how they relate to your business.