The start of any new year often brings with it the promise of a ‘new start’, fresh opportunities and thoughts that this will be the year that “it” happens. “It” being the very thing that sits at the top of your wish list, the focus of your vision board or that one significant change that will change everything. We’ve all been there hoping, planning and dreaming for this to be “our” year and so we set our new year’s
resolutions.
Now, I know that the new year’s resolutions you may have set are meaningful and you really desire to achieve them, but if any of them have already started to fall by the wayside please be reassured that you are not alone. In fact, I read an article recently that said approximately 75% of new year’s resolutions are not fulfilled. It’s the classic scenario of the gym being super busy the first few weeks of January, then by the end of the month or early Feb numbers start to drop. If any of this resonates please don’t feel bad …. we can only do our best with the information we have at the time.
The issue with new year’s resolutions is that often we assume a change of date will instantaneously change our fixed mind-set, behaviour, routines, commitment and understanding of the specific areas that we need to address in order to ensure sustained change and development. Even though we really want it. And this is why for the majority of people they struggle to achieve all of their new year’s resolutions.
Change, however, is possible! You can change, you can achieve and you can become the very best version of yourself, but it’s often a journey, and that’s what some individuals find a struggle. The time taken to invest in your personal growth may not seem as appealing as it just happening, right now, because that is what we want. Now for some people and some types of goals, change does happen very quickly, but in the years I have been coaching individuals I can say with surety real transformation is a process.
A personal development plan with SMART (Specific –Measureable – Achievable- Realistic – Time framed) goals is one of the most effective strategies for attaining growth in different areas of our lives.
For the goals you deserve to achieve this year here are a couple of strategies that may prove effective. Firstly, when considering one of your goals ask yourself the question ‘why?’ … Why do you want to achieve or accomplish that thing? Then ask yourself why is this so important for right now, and what difference will this make to my life and the lives of others around me? How you and I connect to our goals is important and being able to define the deeper reason of why will help your motivation and commitment.
The second strategy is get real about the barriers or hindrances that may stop you from achieving. If you have previously attempted a change and did not succeed, rather than view it as failure, consider it a learning opportunity. Identify what stopped you from achieving and take note of these. Seeing what not to do is a helpful way to turn things around and decide what to do.
Lastly, start with one change. Just one. One small action step taken consistently over time will result in significant change. It will also create a culture of achieving as you learn what does and doesn’t work in this season of your life. Do one thing and do it well. Success breeds success, so focus on being successful at one thing.
A new year can bring a new you, it just might take a more strategic approach, a growth mind-set and a new approach. Have a fantastic start to 2022 and I hope you have continued success.
By Francesca McDowall