New Years. That day of reflection for many and a time when fitness equipment and gym memberships soar. Jim Collins, of ‘Good to Great’ fame, has a very interesting approach to New Year’s resolutions, he calls it his ‘stop doing’ list:

The start of the New Year is a perfect time to start a stop doing list and to make this the cornerstone of your New Year resolutions, be it for your company, your family or yourself. It also is a perfect time to clarify your three circles, mirroring at a personal level the three questions asked by Smith:

1) What are you deeply passionate about?
2) What are you are genetically encoded for — what activities do you feel just "made to do"?
3) What makes economic sense — what can you make a living at?

Those fortunate enough to find or create a practical intersection of the three circles have the basis for a great work life.

Think of the three circles as a personal guidance mechanism. As you navigate the twists and turns of a chaotic world, it acts like a compass. Am I on target? Do I need to adjust left, up, down, right? If you make an inventory of your activities today, what percentage of your time falls outside the three circles?

If it is more than 50%, then the stop doing list might be your most important tool. The question is: Will you accept good as good enough, or do you have the courage to sell the mills?

You can read the entire article here. It is an interesting point of view. Personally, I do not start the year with a resolution list. I simply reflect on my goals and make adjustments – which is an ongoing process, not marked by any point in the calendar.

That being said, I like the stop doing list idea as part of that non-stop review and reflection process.

2010 is going to be great. Have a Happy New Year.