By: Chris “Po” Porter, M.S.P.
As January 1 approaches each new year, millions of people commit to making new personal goals, projects, or habits. These resolutions vary, from writing a book to losing weight to putting down those cigarettes, all with the best of intentions.
However, according to “Innovation Evangelist” Stephen Shapiro, out of the 45% of Americans who set New Year’s Resolutions each year, studies show only 8% of people are successful in achieving their resolutions. On the low end, one in four people never reach their goals, ever.
If you are one of the 8% who always achieve their resolutions every year, I would like to commend you and say bravo! For those having difficulties achieving your goals only two months in to the New Year, here are 7 ways to refocus and work toward your resolutions.
1. Ask Why?
Remind yourself why you made the resolutions. Was it made to improve your well-being, family or community? Your reasons should be used as motivation and fuel to keep you pushing towards your goals every day.
The first step in goal completion is achieving the goal in your mind. Constantly mediate and envision yourself completing the resolution you set. Think about how good you will feel once you’re at the finish line! The more detailed the visual image; the better chance you have of completing the objective.
3. Create a Plan
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail! Using a good old fashioned pen and paper, write down the ways you plan on achieving the resolution. What are you doing differently from last year? How much time will you assign to the goal weekly?
4. Take Action
Visualization and goal planning are nothing without a-c-t-i-o-n. Rule number one is: move your feet and get to work! Many people say they want to improve, but fail to make any physical steps to reach the goal. Don’t be one of these people. Take action towards your goal today, right now!
5. Hustle Hard
Closed mouths don’t get fed on this boulevard! Regardless of the resolution, change is hard work. You must have the willpower and dedication to complete your goal. Are you willing to make the sacrifices needed to accomplish your goal?
6. Get a Support System
You are the company you keep. When setting a goal, it’s important to examine the circle you hang with. Are they enabling or disabling you towards reaching your goal?
7. Reward Yourself
When making notable progress towards your goal, feel free to reward yourself with a treat that does not go against your resolution. For instance, if your resolution was to quit smoking, treating yourself to a pack of Newports would be a bad idea. Instead, you should treat yourself to a nice outfit or vacation with all that money you save!
Keep reaching for those goals, and stay positive!