New Year is on the doorstep and planning for New Year’s resolutions is in full swing. It is our deeply rooted tradition and millions of us will seize the opportunity to start making positive changes in our lives. As much as I do not agree with the concept of waiting for New Year to start making changes, I can understand that this may be a spark of calendar motivation and new hope for many. And that is great! As long as you have the same strong feelings and desires to actually see it through. Personally, I believe that there is no reason to procrastinate and I always tell my clients as I am telling you now, anytime is good to start.
A wise person once said, “You dictate when you start your goals, don’t allow the calendar to dictate when.”
I do not believe in generalisation but statistics do not support the accomplishment of New Year’s resolution goals either. Studies have shown that only around 25% of people stay committed to their New Year’s resolutions after 30 days, with a staggering result of only 8% successfully accomplishing them. That’s means the majority of those who set their goals for the new year fail. Naturally when you start you don’t aim to be in that group. Would you agree? What would be the point of planning your own defeat?
So, why do so many fail? Perhaps tackling each New Year’s resolutions with the same approach is not the best way to win the game, and if you lost it before than you know what happens next. If you always play the same card, you will always get the same result. While working with people over the years I noticed the most common factors impacting the outcome are vague goals, negative internal dialogue, own limitations and tackling multiple resolutions at the same time. You may wonder while reading this what needs to be done to put you ahead of the game.
Perhaps it’s helpful to set more specific New Year’s resolutions. Setting vague goals is not the best strategy and the chance that they will motivate you is very slim. Just saying I want to lose weight is not very specific and most likely you will not see it through. If you are more specific and decide to lose 2 pounds of body fat every week for the next 12 weeks then you are more likely to stay on track till the end of the game and enjoy your success. It’s easier to walk away from vague goals and quicker to disassociate from them. It’s important the goals are relevant and there is value and personal meaning in achieving them.
“Set reasonable goals, not vague or unrealistic ones.”
Stopping self-criticism and improving internal dialogue sets you up for a better outcome. Internal dialogue is the voice that tells you to hit snooze and stay in bed 5 minutes longer every morning, and it talks to you throughout the day. Reframing that internal dialogue will set your emotions right, allowing you to make decisions that positively impact the outcome of the goals and actions. Instead of saying to yourself and everyone around you not to eat junk food as you will not lose weight, perhaps you could say eating more veggies will get you slimmer and exactly where you want to be.
“Our self-talk and the thoughts we communicate to ourselves control the way we feel and act, ultimately affecting our food choices and outcome of our goals.”
I wonder if you have ever honestly asked yourself - who is the New Year’s resolutions really for? It has to be made for you and you alone, not influenced by friends, family, celebrities or society. It’s important to set your own individual goals which will serve your own purpose.
“ To be successful, your goals have to be made just for you.”
Of course, there are other factors, probably well known to you, which affect the success or failure of New Year’s resolutions, i.e. your beliefs, strategies, past experience, self-confidence and emotions. Addressing them all and building a new strategy, will increase your chance to be successful.
“Do not change your goals, just change your game and strategy. If you always play the same card, you will always have the same outcome.”
Applying this approach will perhaps set you ahead in transforming your life on day one, not one day.
Now you know that, how would you plan your next goal? The success or failure of New Year’s resolutions depends on you only! You may have wondered while reading this how The Plan Be will get you the results. Get in touch at www.theplan-be.com to build your new strategy and win the game.
Happy New Year to you and your families.
Yours,
The Plan Be
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