There are all kinds of New Year’s resolutions made each and every January 1, but unfortunately most of those resolutions are broken or forgotten within the first two to three weeks of the year. What are you going to do differently this year to succeed? Have you thought about it? If you haven’t spent time developing a strategic plan, then I can pretty much guarantee you will get the same results you got every other time you told yourself you would eat right, exercise or lose weight.

I don’t mean to sound harsh, but brutal honesty can be… well, brutal. I want you to succeed. I really do. I would love for each and every person who reads this to have 2015 be the year they become the healthiest version of themselves ever. But all of my best efforts to give good health information, and all your best of intentions to follow that advice won’t do you any good if you don’t have a strategic plan.

Start building your 2015 Strategic Plan for a Healthy You, just like a business puts together their strategic plan. Any reliable expert will tell you that in order to reach your goals you must first write them down. Secondly those goals have to be specific.

  1. Start with a mission statement that explains why you want to be in the best shape of your life. What will make it worth it to you to get out of bed and exercise each morning or skip dessert when everyone around you is raving over the chocolate cake?
  1. Write out your values. These can be concrete like living pain-free well into your 80s or more abstract, like having energy to play with the kids. What do you value in your life?
  1. Each of your values will likely require you to meet certain health goals. Write down as many as you can think of, then select the three to five that you want to work on this year.
  1. Next, list out specific strategies for reaching each of your health goals. You may have two to three strategies for each. An example for exercise would be a) setting your alarm to get up 30 minutes earlier, b) buying a good pair of running shoes, and c) forming a walking group at work or in your neighborhood.

Here’s to making 2015 your healthiest and happiest year ever.


Christopher Burton, MD
Christopher Burton, MD

Christopher Burton, MD is a physician, speaker, coach and author, practicing in Pensacola, FL. He specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, which focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of conditions - particularly those of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems - that may produce temporary or permanent impairment of function. Dr. Burton also provides one-on-one Health & Wellness Coaching for select clients who want to improve their life significantly. In addition to his practice and coaching, he actively lectures on health, nutrition and exercise for healthcare groups, colleges, and businesses, and travels internationally teaching on various topics including the treatment and rehabilitation of athletes.