Each January, gym parking lots across the world fill up with eager new members fired up by their New Year’s resolutions to get fit, lose weight, etc. Typically, however, the lack of parking spaces only lasts a few weeks as the motivation and enthusiasm wears off and the gym scene returns to normal.

Joining a gym, going on a crash diet or giving up coffee/alcohol for a week are all short-term strategies. Rarely do they get you to where you want to go long-term.

If you want to make real lasting changes to your life, you first need to figure out your core values, set long-term goals based on those values and align your life and objectives around them. For example, if being healthy is one of your values, you are far more likely to commit to an exercise routine if you sign up for a marathon with a defined date in the future and work towards that goal.

For the past six months, I have been implementing a system that I call the Whole Life Dashboard (WLD), and I have found it to be life changing. I have also been testing it with a small group of colleagues/friends and am now rolling it out in beta form via Excel before developing a web version. I’d love for you to test it out and to send me your feedback.

In short, the WLD helps you:

• Clarify your long-term goals and personal core values
• Identify key relationships and commitments that warrant your focus
• Stay aligned with your goals, core values and relationships on a daily and quarterly basis

It takes a few hours to setup initially and then just 5-10 minutes at the start of each day to keep you on track. It also works great in conjunction with a morning routine, such as the Miracle Morning.

If you want to make real, lasting changes in your life, a few things need to happen. First, you need to believe you are in control. Second, you need to stop thinking there is a quick fix and resolve to do the hard work. Instead of making short-term shifts in your life, resolve to make 2017 the year you figure out what you really want and commit to long- term sustainable change and happiness.

Here are a few helpful posts as you think about your 2017 planning and goals

• Mind Map/Visual Tool for Your Goals
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
• Consider a “Stop Doing” List
• 13 Things You Should Give Up If You Want to Be Successful