Anyone who works with graphic or image files knows that high resolution files are best for reproduction, and low res files are good for placement or a quick look at an image. High res files take a lot of bandwith and low res files are more easily uploaded because they're smaller. The difference is the level of detail -- high res has more, low res has less.
The same holds true for the other resolutions we think about this time of year. Are the goals you've set for the new year high res or low res? A high res goal is specific, detailed, and actionable. A low res goal is more generic.
Experts say the more detailed the goal, the more likely you are to achieve it. So instead of saying you plan to improve your health this year, set a goal to reduce your cholesterol by 10 points, lower your weight by 10 percent, or eat better by adding more three colors to your diet (see The Coloring Book for great tips and advice.) I'm thinking I need to add more purple, red, and orange to my diet and that's a great place to start.
If you want to improve your business, you might set a high res goal of five new customers this month rather than simply "getting more customers." The more specific the goal, the easier it is to develop a plan to help get you there. Or you may set a high res goal of achieving a new qualification level by a specific month or season -- achieve platinum by the time the plum tree blossoms, for example.
What are your high res goals? Mine are to get five colors a day in my diet (I've had green, red, and orange so far today), to take my supplements every day, to work out 15 days per month and to volunteer 80 hours this year (about 6.5 hours per month.)
Share your high res goals by January 15 and you'll be entered in a drawing for a copy of "A World of Opportunity," a look at Amway at 50.