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Hello from sunny California! (back to chilly Edmonton tonight)
Tis the season to be planning! Fa la la la la la la la la.
With less than 30 days until the New Year, I thought I would give you a heads up.
It is statistically proven that less than 3 percent of New Years resolutions are acted upon and achieved.
Why exactly?
Well as I see it, many people make the common mistake. They start to reflect on the past year and realize that they want to make changes.......a good thing! But, they don't know what they want, why they want it, and how they can get it....
In my Coaching practice I talk about Goal Setting constantly......not just once per year. This can apply to anyone when it comes to achieving objectives in 2011. The key here is that a goal is not a resolution. (The definition of a resolution, "a decision to do something or to behave in a certain manner") Think about it! It is just a decision to do something..........it is only the first and very basic step.
In light of the fact that we have some time (less than 30 days, assuming you want to get started on January 1st) to articulate our Goals for 2011, here are a few tips for you. (Thanks to one of my mentors, Anthony Robbins)
What is your OUTCOME? (What do you want?.......it could be several things)
...some examples
-make more money
-lose weight
-write a book
-plan a dream vacation
-improve relationships with your kids
-open a flower shop
-complete an MBA
(TIP: be specific with Goals. eg....I want to lose 20 lbs by March 31st, 2011)
Some Goals can be accomplished in a relatively short period of time, but some take longer. Chunk out the goal so you show progress along the journey. Losing 20 lbs may take 90 days, or longer. If you break this down into 30 day time frames it is easier to show progress. You have to lose 5 lbs before you can lose 20 lbs.
What is your PURPOSE? (Why do you want it?....make this very compelling!)
For every Goal (Outcome) you need to write down why you want to accomplish it)
..example I want to lose 20 lbs so I can fit into my new bathing suit for my spring vacation to Mexico. I want to lose 20 lbs so I can have more energy and vitality and be healthier overall.
In my words, I believe that "wimpy why's" getting wimpy results.
If your why is...."just because", you are less likely to achieve your goals and outcomes. Trust me on this!!!
The third and final step....
What ACTION will you take? How will you accomplish the goal(s)?
This is obviously a key step, but usually the following things happen. We know WHAT we want? (The goal/outcome) We may know WHY we want to accomplish the goal/outcome. We don't know HOW we are going to accomplish it, so we wimp out or stop believing we can do it. The second issue, is that we do not make the Action specific and measurable.
My son Nick has an awesome goal when he is 25 years old. (he is now 19) He knows why he wants it too. His concern,"but I don't know how to do it" The exciting part for us (I say us, because I want him to achieve his goal as much as he does, and he will likely get some complimentary coaching through the years. LOL. It's what I do!)
Ok....Back to the 20 lbs weight loss goal. I will go for a 30 min walk 4 times per week. I will stop eating snacks after 7pm. I will replace my soft drink habit with water, etc.
I highly recommend that you write all of the above on paper. Track it, measure it and share your goals with others. It is always helpful to have other people in your corner to support you.
Revisit your goals often. For some of you it may be weekly. For others it may be monthly. (this is at the minimum)
As I reflect on some of my past goals that were accomplished, I realized that I looked at the goals, the purpose and my action on a very regular basis. Top of mind can make all the difference. Back burner doesn't get the attention it needs.
Remember Dr. Stephen R. Covey's book, "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People"... Habit 2 "Begin with the end in mind"
What does it feel like and look like when you accomplish your goal? Put yourself in that place. It will help you get to where you plan on going.
As always, I welcome our comments in the section below.
"Helping you to the next level"
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4 comments:
Hello Mike,
Thank you for the insightful words of wisdom. It is so true... to have the end in mind. With every magazine I have published, before I have even sell one page, I have ALWAYS seen what it looks like printed.
Dorothy Briggs
I like the differentiation of goals versus resolutions...I stopped making New Years Resolutions because they had become a bit of a joke since they were quickly forgoten and very rarely achieved. Your message gives me a different perspective on how to make resolutions/goals realistic, achievable and empowering. This approach is a complete reversal of how I used to look at resolutions; rather than thinking that I have to give up something it has made me focus on what I have to look forward to. So simple …the power of a small shift in perspective never ceases to amaze me! Thank you!
Mr Mack, you are a sneaky task master….
Commit on paper, revisit and share your goals with friends. And if you haven’t been achieving what you are aiming for….then there’s that piece of paper to “shame” yourself to success….and your friends to remind you too!
And you have just motivated me for my first goal of 2011. Thank you.
Good morning -- just a quick note to say that your blog messages become more significant, and enlightening, week by week.
Just wanted to pass these words on to you, and to suggest you have a whole lot of people, myself included, who look forward to reading your new message each Monday.
It's also, again, significant, that you would maintain the messages even while you were away having fun. This is not easily done when we can become distracted with our activities, and the fun attached to those activities. Commendable!!!
I hope that your readership, or at least many of them, will recognize what you have maintained while you have been travelling. While you may not get a written comment like this from them, I'm sure this has to be in their minds this morning.
Make it a great day. Arnold
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