WHY 92% of NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS FAIL
We are all very good at renewing ourselves whether it be in business or in our personal life and there is no better time to do it than at the start of a new year. But why do we so rarely succeed with those great intentions? Statistically 92% of us that made a resolution will not achieve their goal.
It is because we judge ourselves on our intentions and others on their actions. So I satisfy my own desire for renewal by merely thinking about it, whilst we expect others to implement their goals. When I knock over a glass of water I let myself off by telling myself I did not mean to. Whereas if I see someone else knock over the same glass I chastise or mock them whatever their intention may have been.
The truth is the easiest bit of any goal or resolution is its design and the thinking about it. It involves little work and little pressure and by the time it is done we get a nice warm feeling and we feel very satisfied with ourselves; yet nothing has been achieved. It is the implementation of our goals and resolutions that is the really difficult part. It is in the implementation that the graft, sweat, discomfort, willpower and determination are needed. And it is only when we have these attributes and are prepared to work and focus on the delivery of our goal that we are likely to succeed.
Three simple things I do to drive the successful implementation of a goal/resolution are:
- Understand why you are doing it- To drive your own motivation. Ask yourself why five times and respond differently each time giving more thought to each refined answer.
- Write it down and keep it prominent- To hold yourself accountable. A written goal that is always in front of you is far harder to ignore than one in the back of your mind which can be quickly forgotten.
- Tell everyone about it- To enable them to keep you going when you are feeling weak. Many friends and enemies will enjoy you failing, don’t give them that pleasure and true friends will fully support your quest through interest and encouragement.
If your Goal is unrealistic and appears too challenging it is often better to break it down into bite-size chunks and monitor your journey through each chunk to success. When a goal seems too distant it is often good to realise just how far you have come.
“Obstacles are the things a person sees when they take their eyes off their goals” Anon
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Phil Sampson an expert in strategic leadership, change management, team development and organisational transformation. Please follow Phil for advice through twitter @SampsonHall, Facebook.com/SampsonHall and blogs.
Learn more at SampsonHall.co.uk