January 11, 2012
Credit Union Management’s online-only “NextGen Know-How” column runs the second Wednesday of the month.
I have a different take on New Year’s Resolutions. For many years, I would sit down on New Year’s Day and write a long list of things I wanted to accomplish in the New Year. Learn Italian, eat healthy, advance professionally, take a photography class, complete a wine certification, learn piano, and complete my scrapbooks. Just writing this list makes me tired!
While I accomplished some of these goals over the years, it was way too daunting to do it all in one year. I found myself frustrated and disappointed when I didn’t keep up. I actually felt worse about myself at the end of the year instead of celebrating the couple of great accomplishments.
A couple of years ago, I finally figured out how to stop stressing about my list and make my habits stick!
According to studies, only 8 percent of people are always successful in achieving their resolutions. If you are part of the 8 percent, good for you! Stick to your resolutions and keep going. If you are like most people and struggle to make your annual resolutions a reality, then read on for some tips on making significant changes in your life this year without the list of resolutions!
We often create lofty goals and make a long list of things we feel we should do or that we’ve been trying to do for many years with no progress. The fact is most people won’t follow through with their goals. Why? Because it’s easier to fall back on habits that are comfortable. We naturally fear change, and avoid it at all costs. And it doesn’t have to be that way. You can make big changes in the coming year, and make it your BEST year ever!
So here is what has worked for me. Instead of making a list of “resolutions,” I make a list of habits I want to change. For example, instead of setting a goal to “increase teamwork in the department,” consider writing in your calendar to recognize your employees each week or begin meetings by asking questions rather than giving out assignments.
Making small habit changes will not only bring you closer to your goal, but you’ll stay motivated as you achieve small successes. I believe the goal shouldn’t be to get to the finish line of a list, rather, to make improvements in the areas we desire.
Here are eight tips for achieving all you desire in 2012:
Become emotionally attached. It’s hard to follow through on a goal you don’t feel emotionally attached to. “Lose 10 pounds” isn’t exactly inspiring. Create goals with an emotional connection. How will you feel if you lose 10 pounds? What would your life be like? What in your life would change as a result of losing weight? Recreate that goal into something that inspires you to take action. For example: “Eat mindfully and do some form of exercise every day so I have more energy, can fit into my favorite jeans, and feel confident every day.”
Write a future letter. One way to become emotionally attached to your goals is to write a letter to yourself (or some of my clients create a vision board) as if it’s one year from now and your goals have been obtained. Re-read this letter every day so you connect with it emotionally. If you go to www.futureme.org you can also write an e-mail to yourself and have it delivered to your inbox on the day of your choosing. Schedule e-mails to your inbox throughout the year to keep yourself motivated and on track!
Focus on habits. Make a list of at least three habits to change that correlate with your goal. It’s easier to stay motivated by changing habits than by focusing daily on a lofty goal that has no concrete definition. For example, instead of “reduce procrastination,” you may decide to write your “to do” list each night before you leave work. Or start with the hardest task first thing in the morning. Or ask a co-worker to check in with you on important projects. You get the picture. Changing small habits will motivate you to keep going because small successes will compound over time and help you reach your goal faster.
Be specific. You are more likely to achieve a goal if you are specific about what actions you will take. How will you lose 10 pounds? Walk five times a week? Eliminate ice cream? Eat two pieces of fruit each day? Brainstorm ways that will work for you to reach your goal and build these habits into your life.
Choose one or two and focus. Most people don’t attain their goals because they have too many of them. Think about it: Would you rather do 10 things moderately well, or two things exceptionally well? Don’t overwhelm yourself. Pick one or two things to focus on so you don’t become inundated and give up. Focusing on no more than two goals also allows you to build momentum in an area of your life and see results quickly. You will feel great about yourself and be more likely to achieve your other goals. If you achieve the first two goals, then add another. You’ll be more likely to follow through and achieve success if you give all your focus to one or two areas at a time.
Create a theme. Create a theme around your intentions for the year. Maybe it’s “The Year of Learning” or “The Year of Employee Engagement.” The act of creating an intention for the year keeps you focused on what you are working toward achieving.
Be uncomfortable. There is always some discomfort in change. You can stick with the way things are and be very comfortable, but you won’t be growing and learning. When you challenge and stretch yourself, it will always be uncomfortable. Become accustomed to this feeling and change your perspective around it. Condition yourself to feel that being uncomfortable is good. You are developing and improving. You are getting closer to your goals. You are working toward your BEST year ever and will feel energized and successful!
Get an accountability partner. People hire personal trainers and executive coaches because they know they can achieve results faster and easier with accountability. Find someone in your life who won’t back down and who will push you to achieve your goals. Just the act of knowing someone else is expecting you to follow through is often enough incentive to keep going. Sit down with this person and explain what you are trying to accomplish and why you are working toward this goal. Then design how you want him or her to be with you when you don’t follow through.
I know you can achieve the results you desire if you focus and commit yourself. So throw away your list of 20 things to do and make this the year you will focus on doing one or two things exceptionally well. Build in accountability and you are on your way to success!
I wish you a wonderful year filled with joy, prosperity, health and abundance!
Laurie J. Maddalena, MBA, CPCC, PHR, is a certified executive coach, consultant and founder of Envision Excellence, LLC, Rockville, Md. She was also an HR executive at a $450 million credit union. Contact her at 240.605.7940 or lmaddalena@envisionexcellence.net.
