It’s that time of the year again. The top ten lists of the year are out to help us recall the year. It triggers both year and life review and stimulates our long term memory of where we have been, where we are, and where we are going. Seneca said it well. “It’s not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it.” This of course comes with end of the year resolutions that often amount to trying to do better next year.

I often remark during my talks that the most grievous memory error is “trying to remember.” Instead, plan on how you will remember. Good intentions often fall short when a well placed post-it note would serve us well. It’s the same for New Year’s resolutions. A resolution needs to be a planned act. For example, if you want to get healthier in the 2011, make a plan to remember to exercise consistently. Get out your new calendar and mark out four times a week to exercise for the entire year. Let life then fill in around this goal.

As another example, I was talking to a person with mild memory loss that still enjoys paying his bills. However, he is struggling a bit more than in the past and wants to keep paying his own bills as long as he is able. The plan we made was to have him consolidate bill paying to one day a month. He will create a folder that is in an assigned place. Finally, he will mark the day and times for bill paying for 2011 in his new calendar.

I am also taking my own advice this year. As many know, I still try (the catch word) to schedule my own appointments. This is a multitasking challenge that means I make mistakes and forget. My plan is simple. After the first of the year, I have someone who will schedule my appointments. This will save me and those who want to catch up with me a great deal of frustration. It will also help my memory in the New Year.

The idea is simple. A resolution should be a plan that you execute during the New Year. Choose your most important goal and mark your calendar now. This all reminds me of the concept from one of my favorite movies, “What About Bob?” The idea is to take “baby steps.” Think small. Be concrete and specific in setting your plan. And don’t forget to mark it in your 2011 calendar. You can build on it later.