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Well it’s that time
of
year when many people begin coming up with the list of changes they
intend to
make during the coming year.
List-keeping websites note that the top ten
items remain pretty much the
same every single year, and only 8% of resolutions are kept. The top 10 resolutions are:
1. Stop smoking
2. Get fit
3. Lose weight
4. Quit drinking
5. Enjoy life more
6. Get more education
7. Save more money
8. Get out of debt
9. Spend more time with family
10. Volunteer more
They sound simple enough.
So, why do most people fail to keep
their resolutions?
Too many people are
merely “interested” in making a change.
Often, they are making a resolution because
it’s what they “should” do,
and not what they are really committed to doing for themselves.
Anything is
possible, but the motivation must be self driven.
“Excusitis” is a certain
predictor of failure.
Habits are hard to
change. It isn’t easy to stay motivated and follow through every
day.
Consistently taking small steps forward equal success.
Human
nature means there will be the occasional misstep, but you can learn to
handle
the temptations and “triggers” that could lead you to give
in to failure. Commitment
means that with each passing day, you are closer to reaching your goal.
I
find that it takes my clients a full 3-6
months to experience consistent success in making a significant change. But, it’s crucial to focus on the goal
and
the steps to that goal for months to come. There are two quotes that I
find
especially appropriate and that I often use.
“There
is a difference between interest and commitment. When
you’re interested in doing something,
you do it only when it’s convenient.
When you’re committed to something, you
accept no excuses, only
results.” Ken
Blanchard.
Then, there is this from
Ross Perot, “Most people give up just
when they’re about to achieve success. They
quit on the one yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game,
one foot
from a winning touchdown.”
How
do you assure success? Plan!
Plan! Plan! The old adage, fail to plan and you plan to fail,
is true. I
suggest you choose no more than three resolutions to start with. Make
very
specific plans for each one. “I
will
lose weight” is not a plan, it’s an intention.
A plan states specific goals, places a time
frame on
reaching the goal, and specifies the steps that must be taken to reach
that
goal.
For example, when a client comes to me for
help in losing
weight, I consider them to have taken the first step of finding
professional
support and guidance to meet their goal.
Next,
we establish a target goal and date,
such as: 12 weeks from today, weight will be 10
pounds less than it is today. Then, we plan the steps necessary for
reaching the goal, such as:
1. I will pack my own
healthy
lunch every day.
2. I
will eat 2 green vegetables a day.
3. I
will drink water instead of soft drinks from now on.
5.
I will walk for at least 20 minutes every single day, either after
lunch or
before dinner.
Steps must be specific,
sustainable,
and most importantly, realistic. You didn’t get where you are
overnight. If weight loss is to be
permanent, for
example, it must occur in a gradual way the body can accept, and meals
must
consist of tasty foods and portions that the person can continue to
enjoy for a
lifetime. (I believe fad diets and foods lighten only your wallet.)
There must
be strategies for dealing with temptations. The emotional &
lifestyle aspects
of the change must be addressed, as well as any other issues that could
interfere
with reaching the goal.
Set
a date to start, plan appropriately, and accept nothing less than
success! 8% of resolution makers
reach their
goals. There’s no reason you
can’t be in
that group, is there?
I
wish you and your loved ones an abundantly blessed 2010!
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