Success With Resolutions

If you have some resolutions for the New Year or if you set some goals for yourself or your business for the next year, here are some ways to keep yourself on track and focused. Pay special attention to #2. 

1. Less is more.  Have 3 or 4 resolutions at the most. Any more than this will make them hard to focus on.  If the resolutions you have can be achieved in less than a year, create others once you have accomplished these.
2. Visualize success.  Know what accomplishing your resolution(s) will do for you.  Daydream about it.  How does it look and feel?  Reaching your dream only happens if you are motivated enough to stick with it.  If you don’t keep thinking about how much you want it and how good you will feel once you either accomplish it or make it a habit (or get rid of a habit!), you will lose interest.  Work on a want not a should.
3. Write them down.  Here is another way to stay focused on your resolutions.  There is something more permanent about the written page than just having it in your head.  Sometimes just the act of writing it down is enough to keep you on track and focused.
4. Tell someone. Have a friend, a mentor, or a coach hold you accountable. Once you tell someone else it is just downright embarrassing to admit you didn’t stick with it.  Sometimes we know that is the only way we’ll get it done.  Some people are motivated completely by the positive aspect of getting it done and others need the fear of the consequences of not accomplishing it.  Both can help you.
5. Post them.  Put a copy of your resolution(s) where you see it/them frequently. Just seeing the list will continually remind you of what you are trying to do.  Where can you put the list so you see it continually?  How about the bathroom mirror or the refrigerator door?!
6. Read them. Say them out loud at least once a day. Make a little ritual of this. Do it at the same time every day.  This would be a good time to visualize your success too (#2).  The more you think about your resolutions the more in focus they become.
7. Take action. Ask yourself at the beginning of the day what one action can you take today to keep you making progress on your resolution(s)?  Moving forward one step at a time is what you are after.
8. Hire an expert.  An expert can help you to overcome blocks, improve the way you are approaching the tasks or just boost your spirits.  Depending on your resolution an expert might be a coach, a personal trainer, a nutritionist, or an organizer.
9. Use affirmations. Create a positive statement that you can use when the voice in your head tells you that you are not going to achieve whatever you are striving for. When you become aware that the voice is telling you can’t do it, substitute your affirmation.
10. Reward yourself.  Give yourself something special when you cross a milestone or survive a particularly difficult period in your journey to achieving your resolution.  Celebrate successes along the way and feel good about what you have done.

Coaching opportunity for 1 person

Need help either coming up with your goals, writing your goals or sticking with your goals?  A coach can help.  If you are interested in working with me this year, please send me an email asparker@asparker.com or call me a 617-240-5353.  I have room for 1 more person in my practice.