As we approach the end of 2020, we are likely to be asked “What New Year’s resolutions do you have?”
Are you someone who makes them?
How successful are you at achieving them?
Do you have different ones each year or are they the same reoccurring ones set every January?
Statistically, most people have given up on their New Year’s resolutions by the end of January – so why do we persist in setting new ones?
And what can we do to make sure that, this year, the outcome will be different?
The challenge in setting New Year’s resolutions is knowing why you set them, why you haven’t stuck to them in the past and how you can change your approach to ensure you succeed with them this year.
The New Year is a great time to reflect on the year just gone and look forward to the year ahead. It’s a time to start afresh and set some resolutions that are meaningful to you and that you really want to achieve.
As a performance coach I have created a learning log for the year, to reflect on the events and experiences I’ve had, the people I’ve met and the lessons I’ve learnt along the way. I include both good and bad experiences in the log, often it’s the bad experiences that can be the most valuable and the lessons learnt being the most positive.
The best of 2020…
Reflecting on personal highlights from the previous year can be very motivational.
2020 has been a difficult year for many but there will have been some highlights for you, whether that was adapting to working at home, growing your own vegetables or your creative approach to home schooling. The “Review of 2020…….” TV programmes that will be hitting our screens in the next couple of days will provide a summary of what has happened over the past year, the positives as well as the negatives. And you can think about this too for your own year. What would your highlights look like? What were your personal podium moments?
If you don’t have as many as you would have liked, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, create in your mind a preview of what 2021 will look like.
Not sure where to start?
2021 your best year yet….
Imagine its December 2021. You are walking down the street and bump into of all people…yourself. What would you need to have done and who would you needed to have become in order to be a person you are delighted to meet? Write it all down. What will your highlights look like?
There are many reasons why people don’t stick to their New Year’s resolutions. One of the main reasons is that few people truly believe that they can achieve their goal. (How often have you heard someone say, “I’ve decided to go on a diet, but I know I’ll never stick to it.”) Worrying that we may fail before we have even started just creates a preview of a future that we don’t want. So why not change the picture in your mind to one that paints a future that you really do want. Make sure that your goal truly is your goal, and not something you feel you should be aiming for.
My tips for success:
- Don’t be tempted to create a long list of goals that can overwhelm you. Instead, focus on just one thing to start with, and apply laser focus to achieving it.
- Make sure your goal is one you are committed to and not just something you feel you ‘should’ do.
- Write your goals down. You are more likely to achieve them if you do, perhaps create a vision board with pictures and statements that can you can look at for inspiration, every day.
- Remember that a single setback does not make you a failure. If you stray from your path, just get back on track as soon as you can. A single bump in the road doesn’t have to derail your whole plan.
- Consider who can support you. Is it time to hire a coach to help you clarify your goals and help you turn your ideas and plans into action?
- Form a plan. Achieving your goals doesn’t just happen. One of the major reasons people don’t achieve their goals is they have neglected to form a plan. So, for the goal you have set, now ask yourself, “What do I need to do to achieve it?”
If you would like some help creating and setting goals and ultimately achieving what is important to you, or just want a chat about your next step, then please contact me. I look forward to hearing from you and together making 2021 your best year ever.
