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Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail and How to Make Goal Setting Succeed

[quote]”Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination.” Fitzhugh Dodson[/quote]

The concept of making “new year’s resolutions” has been a bit of a joke in our society for about as long as I can remember — the joke being that  “resolution” has become synonymous with “giving up fast.”  And for reasons that escape me, very few people talk about the key to success, which is goal setting.

And that’s a shame because the start of a new cycle [of anything, not just a year] is a chance at a new beginning.

How often in our lives have we wished for a “do over?” Well, we can “start over” any old time. And setting specific goals, instead of making resolutions, is an excellent way to do it.

But you have to know the right steps.

The reason resolutions don’t work is that they’re just words and don’t include a plan. Research has shown that after six months, less than half of people who made New Year’s Resolutions have stuck to them; after a year, less than 10%. Why? Because they had no plans.

Goals, however, entail a plan and focus on action!

 Here are the steps to Successful Goal Setting:

GOALS MUST BE SPECIFIC AND MEASURABLE: what, how much, by when? [For example, “I want to lose ten pounds by March 1, 2013.”]

WRITE THEM DOWN

Research shows that those who write down their goals accomplish significantly more than those who don’t.

Goals simply must be written down!

In the week before or after January 1, I sit down and write out my goals for the upcoming year. I have a special book just for this purpose and I keep it handy for frequent review so that I stay on target.  The book also helps me with the next step:

 VISUALIZE

[quote]“All achievement starts in the imagination before it is ever realized in the physical form.” Napoleon Hill[/quote]

What does it look like? What does it feel like? The mind cannot tell the difference between vivid imagination and what actually happens.

If you want a car, specify the model, color and features.

See yourself driving it.

Cut out pictures of the car and look at them every day.

Take time every day to see yourself accomplishing your goal.

A Harvard University study found that students who visualized in advance were able to perform tasks with almost 100% accuracy. Students who did not visualize performing their tasks in advance achieved only 55% accuracy.

There’s no such thing as an unrealistic goal. If you can see it, you can achieve it.

 KNOW WHY YOU WANT IT

You don’t need to know how you’ll achieve your goal at the beginning. What you need to do will become evident over time. Reasons come first, answers follow.

Years ago I set a goal to go to Ireland. I had no money to make the trip and didn’t know how I’d pull it off. But I had faith and even told friends I was going. I got a surprise windfall a few months later and the money paid for the trip!

Also, it’s very important the goal be something you feel excited about, not something someone else wants for you.

TAKE ACTION – MAKE A PLAN

This was the one flaw in the film and book “The Secret” – not enough emphasis on the need to take action to accomplish your goals.

You need a plan. So if you want to lose weight you might want to ask friends who’ve lost weight how they did it, read diet books, talk to your doctor, join Weight Watchers, cut out desserts, start an exercise program. The resources to success are endless.

Asking yourself what, how often and by when are the keys to your action plan.

 HAVE A SUPPORT TEAM

Tell supportive friends [and only supportive friends] about your goal so that you have some accountability. They can also help you brainstorm ways to achieve them and help you stay motivated.

Put yourself on your support team by stating your goals in the positive: Goals focus on what you want, not what you don’t want.

Don’t say IF, say WHEN I achieve this goal. Positive wording is critical.

 BE FLEXIBLE AND WORK AROUND OBSTACLES

Space shuttles are actually off course most of the time. Their arriving at their target is a matter of making constant corrections to their course.

Identify potential obstacles to achieving your goal and make a plan for how to work around them. I live by the rule that there is a solution to every problem.

 GOAL SETTING SUMMARY Goals. . .

1. are measurable: what, by when, how much.

2. must be stated in the positive.

3. should be reviewed regularly, at least monthly, preferably more often.

4. are most valuable when stated for realistic periods of time, such as: short term, one year, five year, and ten years. Clarity leads to results!!

5. can be made in the following areas:

• family/love/romance;
• career/finance;
• health;
• nutrition;
• friends/recreation/rest;
• spiritual.

For each of your short term goals, identify three small tasks you can do THIS WEEK toward accomplishing it. Make a plan and stick to it!

And visualize the outcome you want. It works!!

[quote] “Give me a stock clerk with a goal, and I will give you a man who will make history. Give me a man without a goal and I will give you a stock clerk.” -J.C. Penney[/quote]

What success or learning experiences in goal setting can you share?

[edited and reposted from January 2012]

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