It’s that time of year again when we think about our New Year’s resolutions.

Are you finding yourself thinking “THIS year I’m going to lose weight/start working out/double my income…” or repeating the same goals you’ve been setting for the past umpteen years and wondering what will make this year any different?

So often we don’t actually have a strategy for success.  We just think – for example, “ok, I’ll start going to the gym.”  That’s a start, but developing a specific strategy will increase your chances of success.

In the case of “going to the gym” the strategy would be selecting a gym and narrowing in on conductive workout times and frequency of attendance. 

What will you do once you’re there?  How might you motivate yourself to get there if you’re ‘not in the mood’?  Mapping out the details will further insure your follow through.

Some people prefer to set intentions instead of resolutions.  With intentions there may be less self imposed guilt when you hit ‘speed bumps’.  Suggestion: don’t beat yourself up if you don’t achieve your goal (this can give you a sense of being defeated, rather than staying motivated).

Realize instead that if you didn’t meet a goal, it simply means you didn’t meet a goal.  Not that you are a bad person/will never succeed/always fails etc., as we often berate ourselves.

Simply acknowledge that you didn’t achieve the goal and…

1. Identify any learning experiences to be gained so that they won’t hinder you in the future.
2. Reset the goal with a new target achievement date.

If you’re feeling stuck, and need a new perspective on your situation, feel free to take advantage of a no obligation complimentary session.

Sometimes all we need is a well planned support structure, accountability and some encouragement. Using daily planning questions can help us stay focused on achieving what’s most important.  If you’d like a sample set of New Year’s wrap-up and planning questions, just let me know.  I’d be happy to send you a copy.

“Goals determine what you are going to be.” Julius Erving

Gwyneth Anne

This entry was posted by Gwyneth Anne Freedman on January 7th, 2008 under Career with keywords .

Subscribe to this topic's feed.