As the first Monday of the New Year has arrived and productivity once again gains momentum, so too has the responsibility for resolution follow-through. Over the years, we have written a few articles that we think quality professionals in particular will appreciate. We use quality tools from start to finish to ensure not only success but continuous improvement (kaizen). The first area of troubleshooting when it comes to making a change is effective planning. It’s not enough to say that you’ll exercise more or that you’ll start doing something about that one supplier that’s consistently late with shipments. Strategic planning needs to take place, and S.M.A.R.T. goals should always be the result. “People with goals succeed because they know where they’re going.” ~ Earl Nightingale Getting your brain on board with change can be the biggest challenge. It’s one thing to want something, but it’s another entirely when it comes to getting your behavior to respond accordingly. We’re wired for short-cuts and efficiency, so real effort is required to get things rewired. With a negativity bias also at play, it’s often too easy to give up. “Our actions change our minds, our minds can change our behavior and our behavior can change the outcomes.” ~Manish Abraham We’ve listed a few articles below that have received positive feedback. Quality Tools for Quality of Life Quality Tools for Successful New Year’s Resolutions S.M.A.R.T. Quality Planning & Goal Setting Successful New Year’s Resolutions Using Quality Tools Change a Habit In 3 Steps Flowchart (Lifehacker) Welcome 2012 – Top 10 Add Value & Keep Resolutions We also recently posted a few articles related to specific goals we hear from our clients and inquires. Avoid Shipment Delays! How Well are Your Suppliers Performing? What other tools could be used for resolution success? What are your quality goals for 2015? How can we best incorporate these and their salience into our organization’s corporate culture?