Nearly half of American adults make one or more resolutions each year, according to Proactive Change. Traditionally the most popular New Year’s resolutions pertain to weight loss, exercise, quitting smoking and better money management. [Will Your New Year's Resolution Last? · Mike Brody · www.myfoxdc.com]

While getting more organized is not on this particular list, being organized can definitely help you to accomplish just about any goal you might have. In a recent survey, 96% (of 400 poll respondents) reported that they would likely save time every day if they were more organized.  Unfortunately, there’s another study that shows most people give up on their goals fairly quickly into the new year.

So, does that mean we are doomed to fail?  I don’t think so.  We should at least strive to improve, yes?  My sense is that perhaps we should whittle our lists down, make them more manageable, and easier to achieve.  Instead of a top 50, 20, or 10 list, how about a “Top 6 list?”  Just 6 things.  6 habits to change.  Why 6?  Leo Babauta, founder of Zen Habits and the new site, 6Changes.com, thinks that “limiting yourself and forcing yourself to make choices means you must decide what’s most important, and focus all of your energies on the important stuff.”

I happen to think he’s right. In fact, I think it’s perfectly ok to have less than 6 goals.  You’ll get more time “do that thing” or “make that change.”  If it takes 21 days to form a new habit, then having less on your list really may work in your favor. You’ve also got 31 days in January to get started.

You can pick up some tips from the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), now in it’s 6th year of sponsoring GO Month. For the entire month of January, several NAPO chapters and thousands of members will hold public events across the country. If you’re in the DC area, you may want to consider taking 2 of those 31 days to tailor your focus. Visit IKEA Woodbridge on January 9th & 23rd.  They’re teaming up with some fabulous NAPO-WDC professional organizers to bring you free tips on how to reclaim your home office, closets, children’s rooms, and kitchen.

Remember – just 6 things (or less) to focus on.  Ok, now G.O.

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