Our posts on Zeitgeist, the review of the top searches on Google, give us insight into the spirit of the times by showing us what people are currently searching for. But it’s the traditional lists of New Year’s resolutions that show us how some things never change. Notice that most fall into the “Waist and Wallet” categories! Is it any wonder that fewer Americans, 45 percent, set goals for the new year? And fewer than one in ten attain the goals.

Top 10 Most Common New Year Resolutions

1. Lose weight
2. Stop smoking
3. Stick to a budget
4. Save or earn more money
5. Find a better job
6. Become more organized
7. Exercise more
8. Be more patient at work/with others
9. Eat better
10. Become a better person

The Arizona Republic asked students about their goals for 2006. Here’s a sampling. I think we can all identify with these!

Pay attention more because I like space out in class.

I just hope I graduate. That’s my goal.

And something new this year, supplied by IBT-USA, Inc., a global company that delivers Personal Efficiency Programs and has developed the White Collar Productivity Index. They asked their clients and associates,

"What’s on your TOP 10 list of things you would like to improve, learn, or change in your office for 2006?"

1. Don’t let email run my life
2. Eat lunch at lunch time – and not in my office
3. Fall in love with my “Delete Key” and learn the power of “Right Clicking”
4. Take time each day to think and plan my work
5. No scroll bar in my email “In-Box” at the end of the day
6. Respect my time and the time of others
7. Set and keep appointments on my calendar to read and do my own work
8. Spend more time with my family
9. Get organized so I stop wasting time looking for things I can’t find
10. Get fit - both physically and mentally - it relieves stress

Many of these office goals resemble the personal goals. We all seem to be trying to get control of our madly spinning lives.

So…what’s going to change around your office this next year?