Thank you for listening to The Champion Forum Podcast with Jeff Hancher. This episode is coming out at the beginning of January 2020, and everyone is talking about their goals and resolutions for the new year. In this episode, Jeff talks about why new year’s resolutions are overrated and what you should do instead.
You should be constantly setting goals and creating new strategies to achieve them. If you don’t make some changes and create a real strategy then 2020 will be a repeat of 2019! Many people fail at their New Year’s resolutions because:
They try to do everything at once.
Successful people master tiny habits over several years so that they become rituals in their everyday life.
According to an experience Standford psychologist, you should not try to change more than 3 habits at once.
Choose habits that will move you toward achieving your biggest goal.
Don’t feel like you have to change everything in your life at once, and don’t try to change a habit too dramatically.
For example, instead of trying to run three miles your first day at the gym and then quitting, try running a half mile the first day and then repeat that behavior over time.
Q: Describe a time set a goal that was too big. What happened as a result? What new goal would you set for yourself so that you can follow through?
2. They focus on results, not routines
People tend to evaluate success based on results.
Establishing the desired outcome is a great way to stay motivated, but you need to understand that just because you have new goals does not mean that you are guaranteed results.
New lifestyles create new results!
If you want to achieve your goals and resolutions, most of your effort should go into creating better routines, not just chasing better results.
Define the outcome you want to see, but focus on the behavior!
Q: How do you define success? Do you think you need to change your definition of success? Why or why not? How have routines helped you achieve your goals in the past?
3. Most New Year’s Resolutions are too vague!
Any abstract goal you have that is not tied to a specific behavior is nearly impossible for your brain to focus on.
For example:
Resolution: Quit smoking
Habit: Stop smoking that 1 cigarette you have every morning after you eat
Resolution: Eat healthy food
Habit: Start substituting your dessert after dinner with a sweet fruit.
Resolution: Lose weight
Habit: Every evening after work, go for a 2-3-minute run or walk before dinner.
By finding a habit that will support your resolution, your chances of success will be much higher.
Set SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timebound.
Q: Give your own example of a vague new year’s resolution. Have you ever been given a vague task from a manager? How successful was your project as a result? What do you think could have increased your success? How could your manager have been more specific?
Tips to succeed at your resolutions
Tell people what you are going to do.
Obtain a mentor.
Make note of and celebrate your success, no matter how small.
Expect and prepare for setbacks: Don’t let them derail you.
Ignore your critical inner voice.
Q: What other strategies can help you achieve your goals? What has kept you from fulfilling your resolutions in the past? What will you do differently this year? Which point above will you focus on and why?
No matter what goals you have set for the new year, nothing matters more than your commitment and effort. Commitment and effort are not skills, they are choices. With the proper SMART goals, each step you take will help you get closer to your bigger goal. If you have already given up on your resolutions for 2020, don’t wait until next year! Stay committed, change your strategy, and try again.
Application Activities
Pick 3 goals for the year, if you have not done so already, and use the SMART framework to evaluate and add strategy to your goal. Email Jeff at jeffhancher@thechampionforum.com to take advantage of a free resource that will help you put your goals in the SMART model and help you think through how you will get to the end result.
Find a mentor. If you already have a mentor, set aside some time to go over your goals at your next meeting. If you don’t have a mentor and you would like Jeff to be your mentor, he has 15 spots left for 2020 as of the release of this episode. Please email us at jeffhancher@thechampionforum.com with the subject line Mentor for more information.
What routines do you have in your day? You might have more routines than you think! Take some time to evaluate what you do when you wake up, when you start your workday, and when you go to bed. Looking at your SMART goals, add 1-3 habits into your routines that will help you achieve your goals. If you do not have a routine start by adding just one habit in your day every quarter this year. By the end of the year, you will have at least 4 new habits that will help you achieve your goals!
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