How to successfully achieve your New Year’s Resolutions!

2021 will soon be upon us and for many, our thoughts turn to the New Year and what our Resolutions might be…

We read much doom and gloom about the custom of making these resolutions and why they're not worth signing up for because we never stick to them. Making the resolutions in the first place is just a knee jerk reaction to the whole ‘New Year, New You’ theory and it’s just a waste of time because for many, they never come to fruition.

The problem is, too many people trust in ‘willpower’ which will only get you so far. That’s why when you look back, you'll notice gyms are so busy in January and February and then the numbers start to drop...

What we need is a daily routine that keeps us on track without needing to push ourselves daily to give things up; rather that's it's about doing things that in time, will serve us well and that as they become part of a routine, they are habitual.

So, how about thinking and focusing instead on how we can make the resolutions work, how we can achieve those goals we set ourselves, by making them part of the daily regimen.

Here's a simple step-by-step guide you can follow...

Step One: Make a resolution that is both challenging and achievable - one you believe you can achieve. If the goal is too easy, you won’t feel a sense of achievement; if it’s unrealistic, you will feel deflated if you're unable to succeed at it.

Step Two: Make your resolution assumptive i.e. ‘I enjoy leading an energetic and healthy lifestyle’ – repeating this to yourself leads to behaviour that reinforces the goal e.g. you are more likely to choose healthy food and choose to walk rather than to eat unhealthy snacks and drive short distances.

Telling yourself you want to lose weight merely brings thoughts to your mind of lack of food, weighing scales and other negative connotations - think yourself slim!

Step Three: Put pen to paper and write down your resolution or goals for the year ahead. If you write it down, Mark McCormack, who founded the very successful IMG sports sponsorship company said: ‘you have a 1000% more chance of accomplishing them’.

Step Four: A goal is a dream with a date stamp on it. The human brain responds well to self-belief and clarity; if you have a clearly defined mental picture of what you want – and when you want it – you (your brain) will be much more innovative in creating a game plan for its achievement.

Step Five:  Ensure your resolution is in-line with your values. For example, if you set yourself a goal to work harder and improve your sales figures by x% to be achieved by March 2022, this may require 15 hour working days resulting in less time with your cherished family; consequently, this resolution will not ‘sit right’ with your values.

Step Six: Make the journey fun! A goal or resolution that is arduous is less likely to be continued. Perhaps give yourself a small reward on the way to achieving the big goal – i.e. a lavish celebratory meal with the family if you finish a chapter of the book you’ve set yourself to write.

Step Seven: Keep a Victory Log. Write down markers you reach on the way to achieving your main aim e.g. if your goal is to train for a marathon, write down each training run you achieve so if you ever feel disheartened, pep yourself up by reminding yourself of how far you’ve come!

Step Eight: Visualise your goal. It makes it even more real if you get a sense that you are able to achieve it. Visualisation is a powerful tool using your subconscious to make an imagined event real. Build a mental movie using all five of your senses. Imagine the process of what you'll be doing to reach your goal, as well as celebrating the achievement.

Step Nine: Talk about your resolutions and goals with those around you who are supportive – they will help to encourage you to reach your target.

Step Ten: Manage your mindset! Ultimately, achieving your resolutions and goals is down to you – it’s about thinking about the way you think about what you think about! Run your brain, don’t let it run you!

Your resolutions are achievable and there is only one person who can help you achieve them - YOU!

So, GO FOR IT!

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Would you like help getting your mindset in check?

The Mindset Coaching Membership can help you understand the tools and strategies needed. With Teaching + Coaching + Accountability, we will help you to create the future you want. Find out more here.

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