New Year’s is right around the corner and so is the annual ritual of setting resolutions. No doubt there will be many made but only a handful of them will truly come to fruition. Some people will vow to quit smoking, others to lose weight, some gleefully state all of the date nights to expect, some take an oath to stop swearing, some will make a noble effort to read more; this list is infinite. What’s yours? The better question, however, is what are easy ways you can ensure yours will stick? Here are 8 simple tips that will have people saying, “Wow! How did you do that?”
What do you believe?
After you have selected a resolution, pin point the “why” behind your decision. Why do you want to quit or start something? What is your over arching belief and is it powerful enough to really keep you committed. A great example of a good belief is a grandfather who wants to quit smoking because he believes he will be healthier if he does. An even more powerful belief is the same grandfather quitting because he believes if he doesn’t he won’t live long enough to watch his granddaughter grow up. One will keep him consistently focused and motivated the other might not.
Why not start today?
As you are planning what you want to do as of the 1st, ask yourself a simple question, “Why not start today instead?” The research suggests people are highly likely to succeed when they commit to something in the present – not the future. An age old rationale comes to mind, “I got busy today, so I’ll just do it tomorrow.” It’s a habit that is easy to fall into. Break it by adopting an even older saying, “There is no time like the present.” If you do, you’ll have a head start once January 1 rolls around.
Focus on the plan not just the goal
Setting a goal is helpful. It crystallizes what you want to do but sometimes doesn’t help with “how” you are going to get there. So once you have set your goal, spend 10 – 20 minutes thinking and envisioning ideas on how to reach your goal. Jot it all down and then ask yourself the question, “What other resources, do I have or can I find, that will help me on my path to achieving this goal?” Books, websites, videos, professionals, friends, and connections are all good things to consider.
Tell somebody
Once you have figured out what you want to do and then how you want to do it, tell somebody about it. By sharing your intentions and your plans with someone, you are making a conscious and unconscious commitment to yourself as well as someone else. This will increase the likelihood that you will succeed. If you want to ratchet that up, add some accountability! Think of someone that will hold you to those goals you are setting. Ask for encouragement and support from a friend, a coach, a therapist, a trainer, etc. Remember, whoever you believe is a good person to help you should have the personality and the skills to help get you where you want to go.
Write stuff down
Keep a log of what you are doing, whether it’s how many chapters you have read, what you have eaten, how far you have walked, or how many times you checked your email. It can be so rewarding and reassuring to see your progress and it will help you consciously remember what you are focusing on every time you go to write it down.
Go for the win
Starting something new, especially something hard, comes with its own unique set of challenges. Think about getting a little momentum by setting smaller goals that are “easy wins” first. Instead of saying, “I will take a 20-minute walk five times this week.” Try something like, “I’ll go for a walk two times this week. When I can do that two weeks in a row, I’ll shoot for three times a week.” Keep building up until you ultimately and consistently are doing it five times a week. Get some easy wins under your belt to boost your self confidence and get that needed momentum that will propel you to your larger goal.
Consider experiential
Most people have heard of giving yourself a reward when you hit your goal or one of your milestones. When you are thinking about what to give yourself when you hit your goal, consider an experiential reward. That’s a reward that involves an experience. Something like a trip, massage, or learning a new skill like snowboarding. Tangible rewards on the other hand, are things like a shiny new watch, red shoes, or a new brown briefcase. There is nothing wrong with either. There is an added perk with something that is experiential. These rewards usually involve several people and tend to evoke fond memories well after they happen and therefore the reward can last longer in your mind. Tangible items can become old and tattered and lose their luster and sometimes their effect over time.
Get on that horse
Well I didn’t do_______ this week! I might as well just quit. Oh what the hell, I can’t do this…it’s just too hard. HOLD ON A MINUTE! It’s ok if you backslide a bit and it’s even ok if you fall off that horse. Just give yourself permission to say, “It’s ok, this was just a minor setback and I can get up on that horse today. (Remember not tomorrow!) After all, I have made progress so far.”
Whatever your resolution is this year, we wish you all the luck in the world. Here is the big question – Do you have the guts to refuse to be ordinary this year? Are you tired of the same old stuff you did in 2012? Really?!
OK, here is your challenge then. Once you’ve figured what you want to do differently in 2013 and how you want to accomplish it, let us know by sharing your resolution on our facebook page.
I’ll go first, “I will not swear around my daughter in 2013 starting…today!”
Happy New Year!!!
