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Creating New Year's Resolutions That Stick
by Lisa Mininni
According to a Franklin Covey-conducted survey of 15,000 customers, 1/3 will break their resolutions by the end of January. Nearly 40% surveyed attributed breaking their resolutions to having too many other things to do and 33% simply aren’t committed.
However, for those who commit, they use these tips to craft resolutions that stick:
· Make goals specific;
· Create a plan of action steps with specific time targets;
· Keep plans realistic; and
· Adjust plans when necessary
With this blueprint, most people achieve their goals in a short period of time.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is setting resolutions that are too broad. It’s important to define who, what, where, and when you would like to achieve the resolution. “Work out on the treadmill 1 hour, two days a week” is a more specific goal.
When deciding on a resolution ask, “What’s most important?” With the economy, people develop a financial resolution because they realize one income stream is risky. Make the goal specific selecting meaningful resolutions and taking your whole life into consideration.
Use the START method to achieve your resolutions:
Start Before the Launch Date
If you identified a beginning date of your plan on January 30, why not start before that date? If living a healthy lifestyle is your declaration, start by taking the stairs instead of the elevator today. By January 30, you have a head start on your resolution.
Take Baby Steps
The old adage, “how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time” holds true in setting achievable resolutions. People bite off too much becoming discouraged too soon. For example, you set an action step for exercising one hour four days a week. Going from no exercise to one hour of it leaves you with muscle soreness. The mind-body connection is critical. Take it slow in the beginning leaving your brain and your muscles looking forward to more.
Add Fun
If it isn’t fun, it won’t get done. Ask yourself, “how can I make this fun?” That simple question helps to identify all possibilities and add fun while doing it. Switch your brain from dreading a task to looking forward to making an intention come true.
Rejoice in Your Successes
To keep yourself motivated, celebrate even the smallest achievement. While you may not want to celebrate with a counterproductive gift (like a double dipper Hot Fudge Sundae when you’re trying to live a healthy lifestyle) you may want to purchase new clothes. This reinforces your actions, keeps up the momentum, and invites new things into your life. How about donating your gently used clothes to charity!
Track your results
Review your action plan weekly. Review plans at the end of the year, too, to see how far you’ve come and celebrate it! Some resolutions continue until they become a lifestyle and others need to be tweaked for completion at the right time. Either way, tracking results identifies how far you’ve come and where you need to go next.
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Lisa Mininni is the best-selling author of Me, Myself, and Why? The Secrets to Navigating Change (www.memyselfandwhy.com) and is also host of Blog Talk Radio’s Navigating Change show and Life Transitions columnist for www.BestLifeDesign.com. Lisa is President of Michigan-based Excellerate Associates, an organizational consulting and developmental coaching company. For more information, visit her at www.excellerateassociates.com.
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