New Year’s resolutions, otherwise known as “good intentions,” are those things that are set at the beginning of the year when people feel they can wipe the slate clean and get a fresh start. It is said that 80% of all News Year’s resolutions fail. A survey conducted by Gail Kasper, LLC (www.gailkasper.com) finds that 51% of people don’t have New Year’s resolutions, and of those who do, 79% don’t have a plan to achieve them, leaving a small 9% of Americans serious about achieving their goals from the onset.
The truth is, resolutions can be accomplished. You just have to follow these four P.L.A.N. steps, and you can make your resolutions a success this year!
Simply follow the four-step P.L.A.N.:
P = Prepare
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Write your resolution/goal in the first person, as if it were already done.
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Set a deadline of when you want it accomplished.
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Write down the result of your accomplished goal and the reward you will give yourself when you meet it.
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Now, walk backwards in your mind and write down at least three measurable mini-milestones. Do this so you can check your progress along the way. Prepare your mind and have a visual aid to keep in front of you so that you will be focused and committed in this next year.
L = List
- What personal behaviors need to change to make this goal a reality?
- What steps will you have to take to make it happen?
- What are the barriers that might prevent you from accomplishing your goal?
- What will you have to stop doing to make your goal a success?
- What is in your control and what is out of your control? What can you do about each?
- What are the “costs” you will have to pay to accomplish this resolution (e.g., if you are trying to lose weight, forfeiting potato chips)?
- What are your strengths and weakness? How can you utilize them or watch out for them?
Review your lists to make sure you are really willing to pay the cost, are committed to changing your behavior, and are ready to do what it will take to follow the plan.
