Click the link below:
New Year Resolutions have historically possessed a short shelf life. How many times have we proclaimed, “I am going to exercise more in (pick the year),” or “I will eat healthier this year. Our Resolutions are typically statements of an end result we would like to achieve in the new year. Not much thought is given to the “how will I achieve this end result.” I believe the dismal results associated with achieving Resolutions has to do with the “How.”
In this Blog I put forward that a subtle shift in how you look at Resolutions will increase your likelihood of achieving the results you desire. To accomplish this shift in thinking I turn to Sales Professionals and the typical year-end goal planning process used to achieve their sales goals for the upcoming year.
Step One: No more Resolutions…GOALS Only.
Be specific with your goal and include an end date you want to achieve this goal by. For example, you may have the goal of reading the Bible through by December 31st, 2025.
Step Two: Critical to your Success is the “How.” Create a written Action Plan.
An Action Plan works backwards from the goal’s achievement date to establish the Tasks you must complete and the Benchmarks you must reach. Tasks are those actions you would typically complete daily. Benchmarks measure the progress towards achieving your goal by tracking the completion of your daily Tasks. The dates for achieving Benchmarks are usually monthly or quarterly. Benchmarks are really mini goals and need to be set in granite, so to speak.
Set your Action Plan up for success by having built in remedies for unforeseen setbacks. You will have the most flexibility with your daily Tasks. For example, if you need to read one chapter of the Bible each day to reach your monthly or quarterly Benchmark you simply double up on your chapter reading the following day if you miss a day reading. Keep a cheerful outlook as you complete each daily task.
When creating your Action Plan be sure to identify all the Tasks you need to complete. Moving on to the different goal of weight loss or increased fitness level, you could have multiple daily Tasks. These tasks could include diet, exercise, and maybe even behavioral Tasks such as limiting time spent in front of the TV.
The Action Plan is a living document. You may need to edit and adjust your original Plan if, at the outset, you find it too aggressive or unrealistic as you begin to follow it. This is your unique Action Plan for the Goal you want to achieve. Following and completing your daily Tasks and reaching your Benchmarks should be enjoyable and provide incentives to continue towards your Ultimate Goal.
Step Three: Track your progress daily.
Your written Action Plan needs to be visible so you can be reminded and track your completed tasks each day. My preferred way of doing this is to create a spreadsheet I can use daily to track the completion of Tasks. While some may be able to access their spreadsheet online or keep it in a file on their computer, I prefer to have the daily spreadsheet on a piece of paper. For me, there is nothing like using a pen or pencil to manually check off a task as completed. Please take into consideration that I am an Old School 66-year-old and need that piece of paper.
Best wishes on achieving your 2025 GOALS!
コメント