Turn Resolutions into Reality

Jan 11, 2012

Hi there

Happy new year. New years hold all the promise of writing the first entry on the first page of a new exercise book - a clean start. We set off with the best of intentions – usually written to ourselves as New Year’s Resolutions.

Turn Resolutions into Reality

Five Steps for Creating What Really Matters Most in Life & Work

Those who do not create the future they want,must endure the future they get.

"Quitting smoking is easy!” quipped my friend, Steve. "I've done it hundreds of times."

Steve was genuine at the point of making new year’s resolutions but didn't really expect them to produce results. I do. So do most people I work and talk with.

No matter how deliberate we are, something will upset our plans. We get tired, or lose focus then drift into comfortable but ineffective habits. Instead of achieving the results, rewards and good feelings we seek, we feel frustrated, guilty, and even depressed.

This year, why not learn to re-craft your resolutions so they turn into real and lasting results. The following steps consistently help my coaching clients turn dreams and aspirations into actual results.

The steps I'm about to take you through are simplified into a one-page, downloadable worksheet diagram, for those who prefer a graphical approach.

Step 1. Your Opportunity Statement – stating clear RESULTS

Most people's resolutions focus on input processes - not results.

Lose weight. Quit smoking. Write every day. ...

Notice the focus is on the verb (process) not the thing (result).

Lose. Quit. Write.

Instead of motivating you, these resolutions can become demands, not desires. Imperatives we impose on ourselves, and, often, rebel against. Actions by themselves aren't very motivating. They imply work, and that can put us off.

So, instead of action-focused resolutions, put your focus on results you truly want to create.

‘Lose weight’ becomes, "A fit, well-toned body."

‘Quit smoking’ becomes, "A non-smoker with healthy lungs."

‘Write every day’ becomes, "A blog I am proud of."

The key here is that whatever you come up with, really enthuses you; gives you an 8/10 jolt of excitement.”Yeah, that’s what I really want!”

Let your aspirations soar. Grounding vision in reality is the next step

Envision a picture of your desired result, fully complete. What would you be feeling, hearing, saying and seeing? You’ll probably find it easier to see it as a video of activity rather than a static image.

Step 2. A balanced look back from the future. Benefits & Barriers

Neuroscience tells us that for optimum performance, we need to engage both sides of the brain. In this instance it is Benefits (right / motivational side) and Barriers (left / practical side).

This is called mental contrasting.

We start with motivation / aspiration: Imagine the activity having been accomplished, what benefits would that bring? e.g.

A fit, well-toned body: sense of satisfaction, reduced pain, better sleep, more energy, fit into my clothes etc

Being a non-smoker: more energy, clearer lungs, easily exercise with my kids, saving $x etc

A blog I am proud of: add to the lives of my database, unlock my own writing ability, generate business, become recognised as an expert in my field etc

Then we balance this with reality. What are/were the barriers to overcome to achieve these results? e.g.

A fit, well-toned body: don’t like going to the gym, poor eating habits, don’t have a structure to follow etc

Being a non-smoker: psychological – I’ve tried many times before, I enjoy it, it’s hard etc

A blog I am proud of: it takes so much time, I’m not good with words, not sure what to write about etc

Step 3. Re-acknowledge Your Enablers

Your enablers are your personal promoters of success. We all have them and they’re right within arm’s reach.

Their names:

• Previous Successes
• Established Strengths
• Helpful Relationships

Previous Successes

These are all the times in the past when you have been successful. Times when you have faced similar challenges and prevailed. It doesn’t matter if they were large or small challenges – you were successful.

Recall and list several of these.

What enabled you to prevail? Why were you successful?

Doing this reconfirms your achievement-ability, from within your own experience.

Established Strengths

We all have them – the things that we are good at and energise us. Those areas that just flow.

What are they?

What are the strengths you already possess that you can call on to achieve this resolution? Come up with at least five

How can (and will) you apply them?

Helpful Relationships

Who are the people you know who can help you achieve this challenge? Perhaps those who have done it before.

Who are those people you trust to give well-informed insight, encouragement or fortification?

List at least four people

Step 4. Your Action Plan

This is where you draw together all of the considerations from the previous stages, and plan the actions you will take.

What could you do? Where would you start?

By now, because your energy would be quite high (having gone through the ‘Enablers’ section), ideas should flow more readily.

So for ‘A fit well-toned body’, actions could include:

• Speak to X (good friend) about doing it together
• Set up a chart to measure water consumption during each day
• Go to be by X time each night
• Measure my calorie intake via iphone app
• Join Weight Watchers

Prioritise your list and, if necessary, break each tasks into smaller, sub-tasks to make them even more achievable

Step 5. Practice, Practice, Practice!

Few of us are born with the skills and talent to achieve all our visions. But we are learners.

We can try, correct mistakes, and practice until the new becomes natural. Practice may not make us perfect, but it does make us better -- and the road to success always runs through better.

Recent research shows that, along with passion and perseverance, practice is the key to lasting success.

Resolutions To Reality!

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it," said Goethe. "Boldness has genius, power and magic in it."

So why not be bold this year? Dream big. Accept reality as-it-is. And use these practices to turn your resolutions into real and lasting results.

 And you? What're your resolutions? What do you want to create? If not Now, when?

Taking Action

If you recognise you will require a combination of support and accountability to take the lead in your world this year, I have spaces for 2 clients in January/February. Get in contact and we can set up a complimentary session together.

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