Back in January, you created resolutions. It’s now mid-March. Have you kept those resolutions? If you haven’t made progress, here’s the sad truth: You probably won’t make good on those resolutions this year.
Be honest. If you haven taken action to create change in your life in the last two and a half months, what makes you think the next ten months will be any different?
You still can do something to achieve the change—and success—you desire. The strategy for accomplishing this has nothing to do with resolutions, though.
1. Stop making resolutions.
Intentions activate a part of your brain that helps you take action. Like goals, they are tied to your purpose, passion, and “Big Why,” which makes them easier to achieve. Most resolutions, on the other hand, are often things you feel you should or must do. You aren’t committed to them.
2. Create specific goals.
If you made a resolution to lose 20 pounds, that’s awesome…except you haven’t included any specifics. By when will you achieve that goal? And how will you do it?
Break your goals into small tasks or to-do items. That makes them easier to achieve as well. Think of these like mini-goals to help you accomplish this goal, such as:
- Exercise 30 minutes five days per week.
- Drink a protein shake for breakfast and lunch.
Now you have actionable items that move you toward the realization of your goal and intention. Add a deadline—like “I’ll lose 20 pounds by June 1”—and you’ve increased your chances of achieving your goal.
3. Get an accountability buddy.
It’s hard to do things alone. It’s easier with a buddy. And there’s no embarrassment in asking for help. Here’s the truth:
A colleague of mine told his millions of fans and followers that he would produce a daily inspirational newsletter. Now he has to follow through. His readers are his accountability buddies.
When I blog a book, my readers become my accountability partners. They wait for my next installment. And they write to me to ask when I’ll publish the next post if I stop before I finish blogging the book.
I offer an “inspired results group” for women writers. The women in this group enjoy a bi-weekly check in with the other group members and me, during which they must report on both their accomplishments and their new intentions. You’d be amazed at how much the members of this group achieve because they know they must tell the group members if they did what they said they were going to do (or not) between sessions.
You can get a friend to serve as your accountability buddy. Or you might want to hire a coach. Many people hire coaches and trainers to keep them on track; they report on their progress to these individuals on a regular basis. For example, you might have a personal trainer if you are trying to get in shape or a book or author coach if you are trying to get into the habit of writing or a Certified High Performance Coach if you want to level up in all areas of your life (or even in one).
4. Start today.
If you truly want to achieve a goal this year, you have to start—not tomorrow or in a week. Start now.
Decide right this moment to do whatever it takes to fulfill your intention and achieve your goals. No ifs, ands or buts. Just decide to do it.
Then, get out your calendar, and schedule time to work toward your goal. Make that time sacred. Don’t let anything get in the way.
5. Make your goal a priority.
If time is an issue—you think your schedule is just too full to stick to your goals or resolutions, answer this question: Is this particular goal or change a priority for me? If you said, “Yes,” you can—and should want to—find even 15 minutes per day to work on yourself or a particular goal or project.
If you can’t do this, you don’t want to achieve your goal. Be honest. You aren’t committed nor have you committed. And that’s why you haven’t made any progress to date.
6. Commit.
If you wanted to make changes, you would have done so by now.
It’s time, therefore, to re-evaluate what you say you want to do or create. Choose a project or goal that “floats your boat”—that gets you excited and inspired. Then you’ll be willing to commit to the time and effort necessary to fulfill your intention and achieve your goal.
7. Show up.
No matter what goals you set or activities you decide to take on, you must show up. That means you can’t hide in the shadows or off at the corner of the stage. You can’t start any new self-improvement routine—personal or professional—halfheartedly or halfway.
You must open the door and walk through. You must walk all the way to center stage and stand in the floodlight.
8. Be Authentic.
Showing up also means being authentic. Being authentic equates to being yourself. Allow the real you come out in everything you do. Don’t hide behind a mask or fold yourself up like a piece of paper so you become small and people can only see a small bit of your.
My favorite T-shirt is very worn and faded, but you can still read the words of author Louise Hay printed on it. It says: “You’re great! There is no one like you on the planet. There never has been and there never will be. You are forever a unique, divine creation.”
Show up as that unique, divine creation that you are.
9. Be Courageous
Don’t let anything stop you, or your success will be hindered. Be courageous enough to unfold and to show up.
Marianne Williamson said it best:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us.
“We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, talented, fabulous?
“Actually, who are you NOT to be?
“You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the World. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
“We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. As we let our own Light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
“As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
10. Play Big
Indeed, playing small does not serve you or anyone else. Take a step out onto the playing field or the stage and let your light shine—and the light shine on you.
Know, as Williamson said, you are here to show your greatness. And when you do this, you inspire others to do so as well.
And you will find yourself repaid in many ways.
11. Review your goals regularly.
Every week review your goals for the year. See how well you are progressing, adjust if necessary, and continue taking action to achieve new levels of success over the course of the year.
12. Work on your goals daily.
Create a daily to-do list that includes action items that help you pursue your goals. As you do so, you will move toward goal achievement and create positive change in yourself and in your life.
Every year you should accomplish a huge amount of work and make big leaps toward improving yourself, your career, and your life. If you aren’t able to accomplish this type of forward movement, you may need a coach. A coach supports you on your journey and keeps you accountable.
I currently have room in my schedule for three new Certified High Performance Coaching Clients. Make this the year you do, indeed, achieve your goals and create positive and meaningful change in your life. Apply today to see if you are a good fit for my coaching program.
If you want to develop high-performance skills, habits, and character traits so you Achieve More Inspired Results in all areas of your life, discover how Certified High Performance Coaching might help you fulfill your potential and live your life with more clarity, courage, energy, productivity, and influence—and success. Apply for a 1-hour FREE High Performance Coaching session with me today when you click here. Download the free session application, and submit it. If I think you are a good fit for Certified High Performance Coaching, I’ll contact you to schedule a session. (Apply to find out how you can receive a FREE ticket to Brendon Burchard’s next High Performance Academy – valued at $997.)Photo courtesy of arybickii|Fotolia.com
