As we begin a new year it’s a time for reflection and contemplation. We look back at the year past and resolve to make improvements in the year ahead.
Unfortunately, according to Statistics Brain, only 8% of resolutions are actually successfully achieved.
Why such low success rates? Often resolutions are made in haste as part of a New Year’s Day routine, instead of with deep reflection. To effect permanent change requires conscious thought and hard work.
If you are resolving to make changes in your business or personal life this year, there are ways to help ensure you achieve your goals.
Regularly revisit your resolutions.
It’s easy to fall back into past habits upon returning to the daily shuffle after the holidays. Take the time to step back daily, weekly and monthly to review and see where you stand.
Have you been doing what you resolved to do? The results should speak for themselves.
By regularly revisiting your resolutions, they remain top of mind and organically become ingrained in everything you do.
Create a support system.
Let’s face it, change is never easy – old habits die hard. Sometimes you’ll need a bit of help to reach your goals.
Surrounding yourself with individuals who understand and support your resolutions will help you to succeed. They can provide friendly reminders to keep you on track, as well as provide a beneficial outside perspective.
Whether it’s a spouse, colleague or virtual team, it’s essential to have support to stay on track when making changes.
Embrace past successes (and failures).
There is always room for improvement in life. Nothing is ever perfect. Use past failures as lessons to make the transition easier.
Remember the cause and effect of your actions in the past year. What were you happy with? What would you like to change?
With both your successes and failures in mind, you can create your strategy for the year ahead and focus on the success you will achieve in the coming year through making changes.
Develop a clear vision of your success, intensely believe you can achieve it, dedicate your passion, creativity and self-discipline to it, and you will succeed.
In the famous words of Albert Einstein: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
