Jan 12
4
Key steps to turning your New Year’s Resolutions into reality
It’s that time of year again. You make “New Year’s Resolutions” for more money, less weight and greater balance in your life, then you stay committed for a couple of months at best. Why is it so hard to carry those resolutions through the entire year and to achieve success? It’s probably because you don’t have an action plan with steps, deadlines and measures in place to hold you accountable.
1. State your resolutions as goals. Resolutions are often just dreams or wishes for something better. Goals are specific and become more concrete when you write them down. State your goals in the present tense, as if they have already been attained, and visualize yourself in the future as if your goals are reality.
2. Make them SMART.
- Specific—the more specific your goals are, the easier it will be to develop your to-do lists to accomplish each one. State it as if it has happened, not that you want it to happen. “I have lost 10 pounds by June 30” vs. “I want to lose weight.”
- Measurable—state your goals in easy-to-evaluate terms so you will be able to track your progress. Use actual numbers, dates, or specific events to provide benchmarks for measuring success, not “feelings.”
- Achievable—set them high enough to push you past your “comfort zone,” but not so high that you will fail no matter how hard you try. If you are committed and focused, they should be attainable.
- Relevant—your goals should be important to you, and they should support your personal mission statement, your Life Purpose. Don’t set goals that are not in alignment with your vision for the future.
- Timely—place a deadline or time limit on each goal so you can keep track of your progress on each one. Don’t set the goal too far in the future so you won’t neglect it.
3. Break goals down in to tasks. Make lists of the things you must do to accomplish each goal, with action items that can be accomplished within one month. Include obstacles that you must overcome, skills that you need to learn and people who can help you along the way. Organize your lists in priority or sequence order. Taking small steps toward your goals will make them easier to handle and you will feel motivated along the way as you cross these things off your to-do list.
4. Create a plan that is reasonable for the coming year. Prioritize your goals and work on just a couple at a time. Trying to do too much at once will sabotage your success, and you will end up with many things done so-so instead of a few things done very well. Lay out a strategy on your calendar with benchmarks to measure your progress.
5. Find an accountability partner, and talk weekly. Knowing that you have to report your progress to someone who will praise you for your accomplishments, and nudge you back when you have strayed, will keep you on track. Tell this person what is on your to-do list for the coming week, then check in to report your achievements and where you stumbled. Knowing that you have to account for your actions will motivate you to stay focused.
6. Share your goals with as many people as will listen. You never know where a great connection or resource will come from. Your supporters will want to help you succeed, and may know the perfect solution to a challenge you are having. Or they may be able to refer you to someone who can expedite your progress.
7. Read your goals daily. Don’t let the fire go out on the enthusiasm you have now. By reading your goals first thing every morning, or at night before you go to bed, you will keep them in the forefront of your mind and your daily actions. Daily visualization of yourself as having accomplished your goals will keep you moving forward until your “resolution” has become a reality
8. Expect success! You are in control of your life, and having clearly articulated goals with an action plan will help you stay focused, positive and confident about the future. Only 3% of people in the U.S. have written goals, and according to research, these people accomplish 80% more than those who don’t. By establishing your own goals through this process, you will join that elite group of people who are more focused, energetic and efficient in everything they do.
I set some “BHAGs” for myself last year—Big Hairy Audacious Goals—as I was creating my own Powerful Me Book™. Staying organized and strategic has been a big part of my success during 2011, and I am entering 2012 with a fresh start as I revisit my plans for the future with my Powerful Me Book™ as my guide. I’d love to share my Powerful Me™ strategies with you! Click here for more information.
