The Best of Intentions: Four Guidelines to Move Intentions to Reality

Well it’s that time of year again. That one time of year where we continually hear the question; what’s your New Year Resolution? This is also the time of year where so many great intentions get blindsided by old habits. Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of formalizing a New Year Resolution. Heck I’m an advocate of setting resolutions throughout the year. But it’s something about the tradition (and peer pressure) of having a New Year Resolution that causes even some of the die hard to pony up and identify at least one goal. The problem is that so many goals or resolutions are decided upon in the heat of the moment that there really isn’t any solid foundation behind it. Take gym memberships for an example. One resolution that many people make is to get fit, lose a few pounds and generally get into better shape. The decision therefore is to join a gym. Admit it; you probably have done this once in your life! I know I have. Go talk to your local gym and you will find that the majority of their new members join in January. This is also the month that regular members are frustrated the most because of the influx of newbies using the equipment. But alas, February returns to normal with many of the newbies not showing up anymore. Is this due to a lack of commitment? No. The biggest influence is habit. The mind is willing, but the body is weak. 

There sometimes is a commitment issue as well. This is when you set your New Year Resolution because of peer or family pressure. Everyone else is doing it. It is tradition. You MUST have one.

Being forced to make a resolution is superficial at best and will not yield many positive results. Here are some key guidelines to more success with your resolution.

First, make only one New Year Resolution. Start with one and work hard at it for 3 weeks to turn it into a habit. Too many goals not only increase the chance of you failing but are hard to integrate the small daily changes needed to attain the new goals because of time constraints. Choose one but make it a good one!

Second, choose one that you really, really, really want to do; not one that others want you to do. Ignite the passion for success from within you.

Third, and this is extremely important, WRITE IT DOWN and keep it visible. Stick it on the fridge, use it as your screen saver, recite a mantra every morning with it, but keep it visible. If you see it, you will believe it and therefore can achieve it.

And fourth, create a plan with deadlines for success along the way. You need to clearly identify the milestones for success, measure or evaluate your progress so that you can celebrate accomplishments as you hit each milestone.

These four simple steps will work for any goal you want to set, not just New Year Resolutions, but since it is that time of year why not commit to giving it a try?

I’d like to wish you and your family and friends all the best in 2012. May your lives be filled with happiness, love and joy.