The New Year provide us with a great opportunity to reflect on where we’re at, and what we’d like to achieve this year.
Unfortunately research shows us that 92% of people that set new year resolutions will fail to achieve them.
In this blog I’ll explain why, and what to do instead to join the 8% of people who actually achieve their goals.
SOME OF THE REASONS PEOPLE DON’T ACHIEVE THEIR NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS
WHAT TO DO INSTEAD
You’ll need to set aside at least 30 minutes to do this. But believe me you’ll be glad you did! You’ll also need your journal or some blank paper and pens, post it notes/sticky notes, and a device you can download an audio track onto.
THE #1 THING THAT COULD SABOTAGE YOUR EFFORTS
Whether we’re consciously aware of it or not (and the majority of us aren’t) all of the decisions we make in our life are driven by our Core Values i.e.; what we value the most. So unless your core values are aligned with your resolution/goal/desired outcome its highly likely you’ll be a member of the of the “92% club” of people that set goals and fail to achieve them.
The great news is that you can change your Core Values anytime. For example if you set a goal to lose 10 kgs but optimal health and fitness doesn’t feature on your Top 10-12 Core Values, its highly likely you won’t lose the 10 kgs.
So I highly recommend you sit down now and think about what your Top 10-12 Values are? And then ask yourself if you might need to re-arrange the order or add a new one to achieve your resolution/goal/outcome?
You’ll find a list of common core values to choose from in my book “Become your #1 Fan” on pages 154-157. If you don’t have my book yet and like to purchase it, here’s a link to the kindle version on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Become-Your-Fan-Silence-Critic-ebook/dp/B0112NE856/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454289058&sr=1-2&keywords=become+your+1+fan+by+kathryn+orford
Even if you don’t have my book you can do this exercise. Get out your Post It Notes/Sticky Notes and pen and jot down the 10-12 things you value the most. Then pop them up on a wall and spend some time putting them into a hierarchy of what you value the most. If you’ve never done this exercise before I highly recommend you spend the next few days playing with the order until you feel you have them in the right sequence.
At different times in our lives our values changed to match the situation. For example when I became a parent my values changed significantly.
It never ceases to amaze me how often my clients set goals that aren’t aligned with their highest values then wonder why they struggle to achieve them. Often they’ll need to swap a value or create a brand new one. For example if you set a goal to lose weight, and one of your highest values is love and connection and your close friends get together every Friday night to watch the game, eat pizza and drink lots of beers its highly likely you won’t achieve your goal. Are you starting to understand how crucial it is to re-assess your values?
Lets face it, if we haven’t achieved something already we’re going to have to add some new beliefs and behaviours to our repertoire in order to make it a reality. And those behaviours are driven by our values. So I highly recommend you spend the time working out what your Top 10-12 Values are and then make sure you set goals based on those values.
IN CLOSING
How we treat ourselves when we go “off track” will determine whether we achieve our resolution/goal/desired outcome.
Beating yourself up, calling yourself a loser etc….. certainly isn’t going to propel you forward. Chances are its going to sabotage your efforts.
We ALL have an Inner Critic but the great news is that nasty voice can be re-programmed. All it takes is consistent effort on your behalf. And here’s a link to video that teaches you how: http://www.theconfidencecoach.net.au/resources/how-to-reprogram-your-negative-self-talk/
Approach achieving your goal with the determination, joy, curiosity and positive anticipation you had when you were a tiny child and learnt how to walk and talk. And remember there’s no such thing as failure ~ only feedback.
I hope you’ve found this article valuable? If so please share it on your Social Media and comment below or send me an email. Kathryn@theconfidencecoach.net
Here’s to you becoming a member of the 8% club!
Kathryn