Keeping your new year’s resolutions
Every year, we set goals, some unattainable, some overly easy, and many lost in the distraction called life. It is well meaning, but we often fall short and tell ourselves that next year, we’ll really make it happen.
But why wait until next year? Why not break the cycle now and set yourself up for success? According to Andy Bailey, CEO and Founder of PetraCoach, only 8.0 percent of people who set new year’s resolutions fulfill them.
Bailey is committed to helping people to find the resolution solution and make sure that in 2014, they are among the 8.0 percent. He offers the following eight tips in his own words below:
1. Frame your goal statement correctly.
Instead of stating, grow my business, declare, after one year, my business generates $1 million in revenue. The latter example is time sensitive, personal, present, positive and specific. It’s all outlined in Brian Tracy’s goal achievement program, which is recognized as the gold standard for setting and achieving goals.
2. Challenge your resolution.
After you determine what your time sensitive, personal, present, positive and specific goal is, have a friend challenge your motives by asking you, why? three times. If you don’t have three good reasons why your goal is important to you, you won’t stick to it. Further, you’ll have to think a bit deeper to answer the why?. This forces you to consider your true motivations, which will aid you in completing your goal.
3. Divide your goals into priorities.
Once you’ve pinpointed and cross-examined your goal, split it into actions. For instance, what must you do to hit your $1 million mark by the end of the year? Maybe you need to sell five more accounts, increase your current prices by x percent and speed up production by x percent. Specific actions lead to measureable results.
4. Write down your goals.
In a recent study by the Dominican University in California, researchers found you are 43 percent more likely to achieve your goals just by writing them down. Why? Writing challenges us to clarify and condense our fuzzy goals into exact mission statements. Further, some studies suggest the physical act of writing actually triggers a different chamber of your brain that substantiates the importance of what you’re writing.
5. Form a habit.
Write your goal, be sure to use the framing format outlined in tip 1, and then etch a corresponding action beneath it. Do this everyday for 30 days. Why 30? That’s how long it takes to reinforce your wants to your subconscious.
6. Allow Flexibility.
You’re not a robot. You may stray of course. Don’t beat yourself up. The difference between those who fulfill their goals and those who don’t is their reactions to setbacks. Instead of throwing in the towel, problem solve. Those who react and rebound win.
7. Celebrate small wins.
Just 2 percent movement toward your goal each week will get you to 100 percent in 12 months. It’s all about the small consistent strides. Celebrate your mini-wins. It’ll give you the momentum you need to keep going until you reach your goal.
Bailey said, “With these tips, and this goal-setting pocket booklet, there’s nothing that will get in your way. Happy 2014! It’s going to be a good year.”
