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New Year, New Goals
Wow, it seems like yesterday that we were bringing in the New Year of 2016, and now here it is again. In a few days, another New Year will begin. When you think of your new year, will it look like last year, or will it be a year of change for you? When you think of change, what change would you like to see in your life this year? Does it pertain to your health, your wealth, your relationships, or your habits? More importantly, why do we decide that we are going to make a change, but then fail to follow through on the commitment? According to a University of Scranton study, 92 percent of people that set New Year's goals never actually achieve them. If you want to break the cycle, do what the other 8 percent of goal-setters, the successful ones, do consistently and exceptionally well. By setting specific and challenging goals, it led to higher performance 90% of the time.
Basically, the more specific and challenging your goals, the higher your motivation will be to hit them. That explains why easy or vague goals rarely get met. Here's an example: If your goal between now and the end of the year is to lose 20 pounds, that may be challenging, but it's not specific enough. Eliminate vagueness and make it more achievable by stating it this way: During the month of January, I will lose five pounds by cutting off refined sugar, breads, and all fast food. I will also walk briskly for twenty minutes every day. When you have that much clarity around your goal, your chances of hitting the mark increase dramatically. On the flip side, goals that are too difficult to hit don't get met either. While it's important to challenge yourself, nobody completes a goal when he/she is overwhelmed by facing a mountain they can't climb.
While you may think the successful 8% are born predisposed to these talents, research says that successful people achieve their goals not because of who they are, but more often because of what they do. Aristotle nailed it more than 2000 years ago when he said, "We are what we repeatedly do." By practicing these skills, expect to dramatically improve your rate of finishing strong.
Something to Think About
The 8 percent have an internal compass that keeps them locked in until they reach the top of the mountain. It's a belief system of "do whatever it takes" that is intrinsically motivated at their core.
Weekly Activity
Take a quick moment and check in with yourself. If, at the core of your being, you don't have the desire or passion to pursue the goal, it doesn't matter how specific, challenging, or sexy your goal may sound -- you're not going to reach it. Questions to ask yourself: How badly do I want it? Who's holding me accountable to the end? Is my heart truly in it from the start? What's life going to look like once I complete the goal? In the end, will it be worth it?
Words of Wisdom
“Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.” - By Helen Keller
“Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.” - Hal Borland
“The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals.” - Melody Beattie
“Make New Year's goals. Dig within, and discover what you would like to have happen in your life this year. This helps you do your part. It is an affirmation that you're interested in fully living life in the year to come.”- Melody Beattie
“It Doesn’t Matter Where You Came From. All That Matters Is Where You Are Going.” - Brian Tracy
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