2020 Goals...really?

Have you already forgotten your New Year’s resolution? If so, you are in good company. 80% of resolutions fail by the second week of February. Most adults lose their motivation quickly. Do you remember when you learned to ride a bike? You went several feet and crashed, over and over again until you succeeded. Why did we lose our childlike resolve? Is it our fear of failure, or the bad habits we developed over time that changed us? Maybe it’s our desire for immediate gratification or pressure from friends and family that sabotaged us? These can all play a part in our failure. However, I believe the biggest roadblock to our success is our resolutions are interests and not commitments. You may ask, what’s the difference? The difference is enormous. If it is an interest, it is just a wish. Whereas, a commitment is something you have passion for. It’s something you see, taste, feel, and desire moment by moment. Action always follows a commitment. If you decide you are committed to your resolution, you keep at it until it is part of you. Here are some action steps you can take to help achieve your goal.

1. Write it down and work on it daily.

2. Identify triggers. What are you doing or feeling when you want to give up?

3. When you feel the trigger breathe deep and count backward from five. The interruption will give you time for thought replacement.

4. Be flexible. Change is not linear. If one method does not work, try another.

5. Focus on what you can control. There will always be something unexpected that will happen.

6. Do life with a buddy, mentor, trainer, or coach. Make sure you have someone there to cheer you on and celebrate your successes.

2020 has just begun, so don’t give up on your New Year’s resolution. Get back up and try again. “Commitment is the glue that bonds you to your goals.” Anonymous