Avoid 'Too Much Too Soon' Syndrome Often people try making many changes at once then get disillusioned because there are too many things to do and just give up. If you've done this in past, tackle one goal at a time. If you really have difficulty going it alone, you may benefit from using services of a coach like myself who will keep you on track. The right person will help you accelerate your success.

Jenny's Story One of my clients was extremely overweight by at least 30 kilos. Apart from her business goals, losing weight was her highest priority …or so she said. We looked at her diet and exercise and worked out a plan, according to what she was committed to do. Notice here I've said committed. Over three months I worked with Jenny she was like most people in this area…inconsistent. She'd exercise regularly and eat healthily for a couple of weeks and then make excuses as to why she couldn't or wouldn't stick to plan.

There was no reason why she couldn't achieve her weight loss goal, after all program we worked out together was easy to do. A few changes to her eating habits, regular exercise and planning would do trick. The only challenge was Jenny. She wouldn't consistently do it. It all boiled down to that she wasn't serious enough about losing weight and was not prepared to make changes…yet. I did suggest seeing a nutritionist or making contact with a specific weight loss organisation to provide her with continuing support. However, Jenny was adamant that she could manage herself.

After three months of coaching, Jenny lost 5 kilos. It was certainly better than nothing, however she could have lost much more if only she took necessary action, consistently.

A few weeks later I rang Jenny to see how she was progressing with various changes she had made through coaching. She excitedly told me she had finally got her act together as a result of progress she had made with me, joined Weightwatchers and lost another 20kgs! She got committed.

Dare to Fail In Billi Lim's bestselling book "Dare to Fail" he shares following story:

A woman once walked up to a little old man rocking in a chair on his porch.

"I couldn't help noticing how happy you look", she said. "What's secret for a long happy life?'

"I smoke three packs of cigarettes a day', he said. "I also drink a case of whisky a week, eat fatty foods and never exercise."

"That's amazing, woman said. "How old are you?"

"Twenty-six", he said.

The Final Word You too can achieve your 2005 goals if you really want to. The goals you set must fit in with your values. For instance if you really value your health and well-being (and you should…you're no good to anyone if you're sick or even worse…dead,) then it will be easier for you to take action around this area.

Plan and get off your butt now because it won't be long until you hear that familiar cry "I'm too busy, I don't have time!"

Lorraine Pirihi is Australia's Personal Productivity Specialist and Leading Life Coach. Her business The Office Organiser specialises in showing small business owners and managers, how to get organised at work so they can have a life! Lorraine is also a dynamic speaker and has produced many products including "How to Survive and Thrive at Work!"

Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes Christmas is an interesting time of year.

Some are shining in their successes and can't wait to tackle coming year after a well-earned holiday.

For others it can be sad, reflecting on year gone by all too fast. They had good intentions to make 2004 year when they were definitely going to lose weight, get fit, spend more time with family, improve their business etc. and yet it didn't turn out that way. They are burnt out by working too much, keeping too busy and not looking after themselves.

Goals were set, only to be broken because life got in way. It was much easier floating along with crowd.

Unfortunately if you float along, you could end up anywhere. And more often than not, crowd is heading in wrong direction.

The Final Word According to Henry Ford hardest work known to 'man' is…’thinking’.

Take time to think and plan so that this time next year you can happily trot off on your Christmas break knowing that you have succeeded in achieving goals you set for yourself…you have taken control of your life instead of life taking control of you.

The sense of satisfaction attained by setting goals and achieving them will boost your confidence and motivate you to strive even harder.

Planning, commitment and action will get you there.

Lorraine Pirihi is Australia's Personal Productivity Specialist and Leading Life Coach. Her business The Office Organiser specialises in showing small business owners and managers, how to get organised at work so they can have a life! Lorraine is also a dynamic speaker and has produced many products including "How to Survive and Thrive at Work!"