This is the time of year many of us go through the useful exercise of writing our new year resolutions or goals. We all start with good intentions and start writing a long list of things we want to do. We review the list and start getting busy. We are on our way!
Unfortunately, many of us eventually lose interest or we get busy doing something else and our resolutions and goals are put on the bookshelf to collect dust. This can be very frustrating for a lot of us.
If you want to succeed in your declarations, I have 4 easy steps to ensure success of achieving your resolutions or goals.
Keep it simple!
Many of us create a long list of things to do. It is hard to accomplish multiple priorities when we have a lot of things pulling at our attention. I suggest you start writing a list and then select the one goal that will have the greatest impact on you as a person, leader, family member or friend. Devote your time and effort to this one thing and there will be a stronger likelihood that you will succeed.
Get specific!
What are the particular behavioral changes you need to make and what specific action steps do you need to do to reach your goal? The more specific you can be the better. This will ensure that you don’t aimlessly do things that don’t help you achieve your goal. If you get stuck and don’t know what to do ask a close friend, co-worker, spouse who can help you identify specific things you need to do. By being specific with your actions, it will help you be productive in your time and effort which will lead to better results.
Commit to it!
How many times have you heard yourself or others say: “I need to, I must do, I have to, I’ll try to”…..and nothing happens. Why? It is because you are not committed to doing what you need to do to achieve your goal. Committing to your actions and behavior changes ensures you will get it done. You are making a personal commitment which will ensure action.
Declare it!
Be transparent and tell someone about your resolution or goal. Make this person your accountability partner. Tell them the specific behavior changes you want others to notice about you and the specific actions you are committed to take. Have this person provide you feedback on how you are progressing and hold you accountable to achieve your goal.
Follow these 4 simple steps and you will go a long way of achieving your New Year’s resolution or goal.
Let me hear from you on how you are doing?