It’s that time of year again, where many folks either:
a. flirt with the idea of setting new year’s goals (a.k.a. resolutions),
b. actually set goals/resolutions OR
c. say, “to heck with resolutions, I never achieve them any way!”
Where do you sit in that spectrum? A, B or C?
Over the years I myself have gone back and forth on this tradition. I’ve studied and tested out the three extremes above. I have thought about setting goals, I have set goals and either failed or found great success and I have listened to (and followed the approach of) different gurus that say that there is no point in setting resolutions/new year’s goals because a lot of people set themselves up for failure and, in the end, or worse off because they set goals and fell miserably short.
Yet, what is the best approach, if there is one, to starting the new year?
What do you think?
Before I share my answer, you may want to CLICK HERE for some interesting statistics about new year’s resolutions (and, by the way, if you do your own google search about new year’s stats - you’ll find a whole lot more - as this is a fascinating human phenomenon).
These stats say that only 8% of all people that set some type of new year’s resolutions actually succeed. Only 8%!
I have to say, as a Success Coach, and as one who has found more success in setting some type of new year’s goal/resolution/intention than not setting one, I am a bit disturbed by that low number. And even more concerned by those that are choosing NOT to set some new year’s resolutions/plans for their own success.
When I think of all of the goals I have set, not even counting the new year ones, I must say that I have completed roughly over 75% of my own goals. And when I look at all my coaching clients, in studying their own completion of what they set out to do - whether it be personal/professional/financial/fitness/relationship related - nearly every single one of them accomplished one, if not more, of their own goals in as little as 30 days.
All of that said - after years of coaching thousands of people and creating my own success in accomplishing goals - new year’s or otherwise - I want to share the top 3 tips on how YOU can succeed in 2010 - no matter what stats are out there that say otherwise.
Tip #1 - Create a plan - “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”. This is paramount to your success. Having a plan in writing and a plan on how to execute that plan and executing that plan EVERY DAY allows you to track your progress, reassess what is working and what is not, as well as serving as your compass on your trip in life. Without a mapped out plan, how will you get to your finish line. Even if you don’t necessarily have every mile marker in your site, as least you know which direction to go. Your plan will do that for you. A daily/weekly/monthly plan is ideal.
Tip #2 - Have supportive accountability. No one succeeds alone. That is my favorite mantra that I come back to time and time again. One of the hardest things for most people is to ask for help. That is one thing that I have had to learn to give up. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, rather, it is a sign of humility and innate wisdom. Without support/accountability, where would any of us be? No man (or woman) is an island. I know without accountability through coaches in my own life, I would not have doubled my income in real estate, I wouldn’t have coached thousands of people to cross their own finish line goals, I wouldn’t have become an Ironman Triathlete or a great mom for that matter.
Tip #3 - Have a specific purpose for your goal/resolution/plan. I firmly believe that if you don’t have a “why”, you can’t endure any “how” that might come your way to sabatoge your focus and commitment. Whether it be your son/daughter that inspires you as your “why” every morning or your spouse or your favorite chairty, your dream vacation or time freedom to do whatever you want, whenever you want, I just want to make sure you define that purpose and add that to your plan. Your purpose will be there always - in your heart and in your mind - to drive you to that finish.
I realize this isn’t rocket science and I know you know all of this stuff, yet what are you going to do different now to make 2010 your best year ever?
For a limited time only, I am offering FREE coaching for your next 30 days to jump start your near year. It takes 30 days to make something a habit and a year to make it a lifestyle.
For the first five of you decide that you want toask for help by Tuesday, December 15th at 6 p.m. CST, I want to reward you with a gift that could transform your life NOW.
Why wait? You don’t have to wait until the new year to start 2010 and can create that success now on paper.
Here’s to you and your success in 2010! Whether you want to buy that first investment property, lose that weight, improve that relationship or start that new business, I hope I can be here for YOU!
Yours in Transformational Success,
Lois Tiedemann Koffi
612-721-0907
PS Why wait? Only the first five will receive the free coaching.
