Why is that only one in five people is still keeping his New Year's resolutions by March of each year? You've seen it -- the fitness center fills up to overflowing in January, but by March, the crowds have thinned considerably. Millions of people set out each year to improve their lives in some way. Sometimes it's a dramatic change in every area of their lives, sometimes it's a hoped for improvement for a better life in general.
That's part of the reason so many people feel like failures by the tenth week of each new year. When we just have "hopes" for a better life, we're living in the world of wishing. Vague hopes and general ideas of what we'd like to have in our lives often results in reaching the end of the year with nothing accomplished. Lack of action is a common reason so many of us don't reach our goals each year.
So, here are some tips for making this year different!
1. Determine WHY you want to make changes
When you assess where you'd like to be, it's important to get a clear picture of what you really want. The more specific you can be about what "success" on a resolution will look like for you, the more likely you are to achieve the result you seek. Write out a list of 10 things you'd like to be, have, or do this year; and for each one, take time to visualize what achieving the goal would look like. Then take time to think about what the payoff is for NOT changing in each area. For example, if you would like to lose 25 pounds, what's the payoff for staying just the way you are?
Making a pros and cons list for changing in each of the 10 areas will help you get clear on WHY you want to change, and on what may be keeping you from succeeding at making the desired change. If the pros don't outweigh the cons, then maybe you should take the goal off the list.
Some example areas to get you thinking:
* Physical Health/Self-Care
* Career/Business
* Financial Success
* Personal Development/Growth
* Relationships - Friends/Family/Romance
* Spiritual Well-Being
* Contribution to Others/Philanthropy
* Fun/Recreation/Adventure
* Surroundings/Space/Organization
* Material Things (Wants, Luxuries)
2. Make a plan and write it down
Once you start to get some clarity on what your top 10 goals are for the new year, it's time to map out an action plan. For each of the 10 goals, what specific steps could you take in the next day, week, month and quarter to move you toward this goal? Putting this plan in writing can make all the difference in achieving your goals.
Remember to make gradual changes. For example, if you currently do NO exercise, it is probably unrealistic to set a goal that says you will work out for 1 hour every day of every week. Perhaps working out for 40 minutes at least 4 days per week would be a more gradual way to start. When you achieve success on this, then you can increase the frequency and duration later.
The more specific you are, the better. For example, "I want to spend more time with my family," is a nice idea, but what does that mean exactly? Do you mean that once a month, you will have dinner with them? Do you mean that you will spend two hours each Saturday engaged in an uninterrupted, fun activity with the kids? Get specific.
The number one reason that people fail to reach a goal is because they try to do too much too quickly. Gradual progress is important.
The number two reason that people fail to reach a goal is because they set too MANY goals. For this reason, you may decide to have fewer than 10 goals. Pick the top 2 for you this year and work on those. Those two goals become your MAJOR FOCUS for the year. You are VERY LIKELY to accomplish them by making them your main focus. When you accomplished these top 2 goals, think of the positive impact it would have on your life! You can always add more from the top 10 list once you achieve the top 2.
3. Take action and track your actions
Take one small step at a time by doing daily and weekly planning to include time for your actions in your schedule. Then take action each day.
It's also important to measure your progress on a regular basis. Determine how often you want to measure your progress -- daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly? Or all of the above? And how will you measure it? Money in the bank? Inches on the tape measure? Feeling less stressed?
These markers will help you to make steady progress and will also ensure that you regularly review your goals -- a key factor in achieving them. Plan, take action, and measure your progress regularly. You'll be surprised at what you can achieve in a year using these steps.
It takes at least 21 days to install a new behavior so that it feels natural and to gain momentum to keep going. Focusing on the daily behavior can help so that before you know it, you have achieved the goal. Focusing on the daily and weekly actions helps you to make more progress than focusing on the bigger goal, which may seem overwhelming and unachievable. Keep the goal in sight, but focus on your action. Step by step.
4. Recruit a support team
Tell trusted people about your goals and enlist their help. If that means hiring people, then do it. If it means getting your most supportive friends and colleagues on your team, go for it. For example, if one of your goals is to increase your savings by 20% this year, you might benefit from the assistance of a Certified Financial Planner, or maybe a friend is a financial wizard who might be willing to help you with your plan. Maybe a personal coach is what you need -- to partner with you to achieve your goals more quickly.
5. Reward yourself for progress
Post your goals where you can see them and allow yourself to rejoice in your success! Track your progress and celebrate your successes on a regular basis.
6. Allow for Imperfection
It's important to be realistic and forgiving with yourself. You are practicing, and you will definitely have some setbacks along the way. Those are the times to keep persisting, because by persisting, you will succeed! Don't give up!
7. Do it NOW!
If you take no action, you won't move forward. So the most important step is to TAKE A STEP. Do it now. Get started!
SOURCE: Coaching Team
Comments