Since my last blog post about focusing on the power of goals in the last post, I have heard countless people jump on the "New Year Resolution" bandwagon making lists of things that we know statistically they won`t achieve! I have overheard countless conversations about what people are going to "really try to do this year" - meaning of course they have attempted the same things last year (and probably the year before!)
If this sounds like you, then here is something very useful I came across from Mark Peysha (Robbins-Madanes Training):- "When I make a New Years
Resolution, I convert it into a Game Plan. Why? Because Resolutions have a
reputation for not happening, right? If you want a resolution to work, it needs
to be focused, action-based, and strategic.
Focused:
make it about changing ONE thing at a time. The more specific, the better. Action-based:
commit to DOING something measurable. Talk is cheap, action is priceless. Strategic:
you are changing an existing system in your life. Be smart about how you do it.
Let's take a typical resolution - for instance "I want to lose 10
pounds." Now, let's make it focused
and action based. You do this by asking yourself: what's ONE action I can take
consistently this month to help me lose weight?
Feel the difference? You're focusing on ONE concrete action now, the action
that will make the biggest difference. Now, most people trying to change their
eating habits have a "weak point" in their day where their willpower
fails them. You want to protect yourself from that. If you're going to change
one thing, try changing that one weak point. Let's say that your weak point is
that, when you get home from work, you too many cookies. Resolution: "Stop eating so many cookies."
Great. That's a more focused resolution. So now let's set up a game plan.
Game plan:
set up my life so that I don't eat cookies after work.
-> eat a quality protein meal and hydrate before coming home.
-> do something else that's enjoyable before coming back from work.
-> get rid of cookies in the house, stock up on quality snacks.
-> what need am I meeting by eating cookies? What's a better way to meet
that need? Do that.
-> how can I celebrate every day, and every week, that I succeed (in a
non-food way)?
See the difference? Here's another one.
Resolution:
"I need to stop procrastinating and write my book."
Game plan:
Commit to writing 2 pages of my book per workday, during a "ritual
time" that will not change. If I fail to sit down and write for at least
30 minutes, as a consequence I will write a check for $10 to my favorite
charity. The next time I fail to write my 2 pages, I write a check for $20,
then $40, then $80, and so on. Eventually I'm either really motivated to write,
or I'm helping a lot of people! Continue this until I have 100 pages. (This is
a win-win strategy: either I write and help myself or I fail to write and help
others). At 100 pages this game plan stops, and I shift to editing the book.
See the difference? Do you think you could you make one of your New Years
Resolutions more powerful by converting it into a Game Plan? Absolutely."
It`s simple and it works. No excuses!
So, how was your 2012? Did you achieve your goals?Did you even set any goals? The beauty of this time of year is that it provides us with another clean sheet. Whatever has happened in the previous 12 months doesn`t matter any more. You can start afresh! Of course, any time is a good time to start over or change tack, but the beginning of a new year gives us a logical springboard. Most people are familiar with making New Year`s resolutions and most of us know they very often fail. In fact, statistically by January 15th, 95% of resolutions have already been broken! The difference between a resolution and goal setting is what goes into it. Setting goals isn`t just creating a "wish list" and "hoping" they will just happen. Goal setting is a skill that needs to be learned and mastered. There are many reasons why people fail to achieve their goals, one of which I highlighted in the last blog post. Dr. Maxwell Maltz in his ground breaking book, Psycho Cybernetics:-suggested 3 more- Insincerity Imprecision Incongruence Insincerity - Some people fall into the trap of setting goals they feel they "should" set, because of peer pressure and consequently are never really that committed to their achievement. They make a half- hearted attempt and then quickly give up when the going gets tough. Goals need to be uniquely personal to you. Imprecision - If a goal isn`t clearly defined and understood by the subconscious mechanism of the brain it will be very difficult to achieve. Any goal needs to stated with absolute clarity. in very specific, precise terms. Incongruence - This is probably the most common reason goal setting often fails for people. If the goal you seek is not in alignment with your values and self image, you will never achieve it. If you are a sales person for example, who historically has always performed at a certain level of sales per year and you wanted to double your sales volume and therefore your commission, you would need to work on your self image first, to ensure that you felt you were the kind of person who could do that. You can never consistently outperform the level of your own self image. In future posts I will get more into the mechanics of the goal setting process, but as long as you make a decision as to what you actually want and you are sincerely committed, precise and congruent, the most important thing is to conquer your fears and take ACTION! The time is now!
