New Years Resolution

As the clock stroked midnight on New Years Eve, many of us started the year with a kiss, champagne cheers and a resolution. How will this year and the resolutions we make be different from previous years where less then 10% were actually achieved?  Do we want another year to go by without attaining our goals and desires?  What happens when we don’t feel a sense of accomplishment?  Does the time go by too quickly and then we look back thinking: “What have I done and why haven’t I accomplished anything?

Let’s start 2009 with a commitment to ourselves that this year will be different, this year will be better, and this IS the year of fulfilling promises and achievement.  Now here comes the hard part…How?  Here is my recommended step-by-step process:

1. What do you want to accomplish in the long term (by December 2009)?  Is it to make more money?  Lose weight?  Buy a house? Eliminate/reduce debt? Be realistic and honest with yourself.  Be sure not to set yourself up for failure or disappointment. Additionally, make sure that all your goals are measurable (by you and are not reliant on others to complete).  Having a goal of “feeling good” is not measurable…What does feeling good equate to?  Where does it come from and what’s the result? How does your life change when you feel good?  Use these answers to create a measurable goal.

2. Now that you have a goal to accomplish in the coming year, break it down into monthly, smaller goals.  For example, if you’d like to lose 25 lbs by December and reduce your body fat percentage, then you’ll need to get your body fat measured ASAP.  If you break down this goal, it equates to a little over 2 lbs a month.  Is this realistic?  Is it healthy?  Yes!  Make sure the goal is beneficial for you in the long term. Crash diets usually result in a sense of failure and weight gain.  So, be conscientious of your well being.

3. Now that you’ve broken down the goal, you need to answer the following questions:
   a. What will happen if you DON’T achieve this goal?
   b. How would that make you feel?
   c. What changes in your life will occur?
   d. What’s the worst thing that will happen?
   e. Why do you want to avoid that happening?
   f. What will happen if you DO achieve this goal?
   g. How would that make you feel?
   h. What positive change will occur after achieving this goal?
   i. What’s the best thing that will happen by achieving this goal?
   j. What will you do to prevent getting distracted from achieving the goal?

4. Now you know the affects of either achieving or not achieving your goal.  Do they align with your values and what’s important to you?  If so, then your next task is to find an accountability partner.  Someone to check on you each week, make sure you’re on schedule, encourage you, and challenge you to overcome the obstacles.

5. Finally, CELEBRATE!  You need to find a way to celebrate your successes, not just accomplishing the goal at the end but achieving all the small milestones along the way.  If your goal is broken down monthly and you achieve your monthly goal, what will you do to celebrate yourself?  

Although each person is different and uses a number of structures to operate their lives, this is just a general guide/tool to follow.  Having journals or creating a daily schedule also work for many individuals.  Being specific, breaking it down, knowing the value, and celebrating are ways to make it happen. Good luck and just know that you have a coach, right here, to help guide you and hold you accountable if necessary.  Enjoy 2009 and make sure to have fun!