Even the language we use when describing our goals can set us up for failure. For 2009 are you resolving to never be late again; to always keep your office organized; to clean your entire house every week; or keep the weight off forever? Words like never, always, entire, every, and forever are strong words and make for lofty goals. The idea of making resolutions is not to defeat yourself before you begin, but language like the above can lead to quick failure. Let’s look at what some may consider to be a revolutionary plan for making resolutions. Realize that our successes come with small steps and consistent one day at a time endeavors. In fact, I like to view the entire month of January as a “ramp up” period for resolutions. My thoughts are that October through December people are just too overwhelmed to devote quality time to making resolutions. After New Year’s is over, we can sit down and decide what our goals are and how we can best make a plan for implementation. Here’s a week by week plan to help ensure success with your resolutions. January 1 – 7 Decide on up to six goals. If you’re making a list of more than six, you’re likely to look at your list and say, “Good grief, When will I have time to get to all of these?” After making the list, prioritize your list by deciding your top 3 and then your bottom 3. This doesn’t mean that the bottom 3 are not important., but there are probably some items that are more important than others. For example, losing weight, stopping smoking, or getting out of a dangerous relationship are health and safety concerns and become your first priorities. If your goal is to be honest, that too should be a priority as that is a moral issue. As Stephen Covey says: “Success is also relationships improved and higher character, competence, credibility, judgment, and influence. Success is change for the better.” Remember that it’s what’s important to you and your quality of life that we’re talking about here. Those around you will benefit from the positive changes in due time. So make your list, you have an entire week to decide on your goals and to prioritize them. One important factor is to be honest with yourself about whether or not you’re committed to making a change in the areas you’ve selected. If you’re not ready, again, you will only be inviting defeat. Take your time and enjoy this part of the resolution making process because next week will be a busy one. January 8 – 14 This is the week you want to look at how to best implement your resolutions. If you’ll need help with some, this is the week to conduct some research and find the best resources for help in achieving your goals. If stopping smoking is a goal, you may want to research various methods and/or doctors to help you in your quest. If your goal is to work out on a regular basis, then you might want to research the best programs and equipment for your lifestyle. Decide if you’re going to need to go to a gym, or find a partner to share your work out time. If you decide you have the will power to do it on your own, then you might decide if you’re going to work out to a video or find some place safe near your home or office to walk or run. Or you may already have equipment you’ve been using to hang clothes on that you can convert back to it’s original intended use. You may need to make a special place in your home for your equipment and work out time where you won’t be interrupted. This is also the week to decide how you’ll reward yourself for accomplishing your goals and when those rewards will be indulged. If losing weight is your goal, decide at what weight loss levels you’ll receive your reward. And, no, eating a whole lemon meringue pie is not a good choice for a reward. If you’ve decided to stop using profanity, the reward might be indulged in on a weekly basis and then stretched out over time as you become more successful at reaching your goal. This is also a good week to decide that you will not beat yourself up if failure occurs. Decide exactly what you’ll say to yourself to avoid using negative self-talk. This is important – write your positive affirmations down so you’ll remember them. You may want to post them somewhere so you can see them everyday. Stephen Covey conveys this idea more eloquently:
Week 15 – 21 Finally! This is the week you begin practicing your resolutions. You’ve already done a lot of prep work and your mind has been put on alert that changes are coming so there will be no shocking shifts to your mind, body or psyche. Each morning, before getting out of bed, think about your resolutions and your goal for each of them that day. Practice each resolution at every opportunity. At the end of the week take a look at what you have or haven’t accomplished. If rewards are in order – enjoy! Examine any roadblocks and how they might be eliminated for next week. Look at what changes might need to be made to make it easier to achieve your goals. There may be some tool you’ve discovered you require, you may decide that a buddy system for some goals is in order, or you may need to do some additional research. Remember, no negative self-talk. Find some way to encourage yourself to keep moving toward your dreams. Week 22 – 31 You should be well on your way to reaching your goals. This week you may introduce some new tools or research into your routine. Again keep preparing your mind each morning and continue practicing your resolutions at every opportunity. This week review your progress on a daily basis. Continue on for the next month with practice and review and you’ll be well on your way to success. Lessons From a Revolutionary It was Benjamin Franklin that first taught us that it only takes 21 days to achieve a new habit. So new behaviors can be achieved in a relatively short time by implementing and working the Revolutionary Plan for your Resolutions and Revolutionizing your life!
Happy New Year!!!