A Coach's Guide to Keeping New Year's Resolutions

How About That New Year’s Resolution?

A Coach's Guide to Keeping New Year's Resolutions

How have you kicked off the New Year? Did you set a resolution or two for yourself? By the way, how is that going? For many of us, the New Year is a magical time of year that brings with it a clean slate and the opportunity to create some massive change in our lives.

Or does it?

Well… not really.  After all our commitments to better discipline, healthier choices and explosive productivity have been made, no more than 8% of people successfully achieve their resolutions every year.  In fact, New Years Resolutions have become quiet a burden for a lot of people.  Something you do just for the sake of it, even though all of your past failures have made you feel like any real change is impossible for you.  But it’s not. You see, what separates the 8% who make their resolutions stick isn’t superhuman levels of willpower or some innate drive that helps them move mountains.  No, what separates them is their strategy for change. Because once you’ve uncovered a system that works for you, it’s actually quite simple to use it over and over again, year after year, to make all your most desired goals a reality.  This is why I find the science of human behavior so fascinating — it continually finds out and tests these strategies so that we can take the best of the best and try them in our own lives.

How are you doing on keeping your New Year’s resolutions? Do you need to his a re-set button of your goals? Here are some steps you’ll need to re-set —and keep!—your New Year’s resolution(s):

STEP 1: Keep It Simple

The fewer things your brain has to deal with, the better. That means whittling down that list of 10 resolutions to one or two you really want to conquer.

STEP 2: Be Specific

Two of the most popular resolutions involve weight loss and money management. Since both two topics are huge and vague, focus on a concrete goal. For example, instead of “I’m going to get into shape.” Say: “I’m going to commit to a 30-minute workout, four times a week.” Once you know what the goal is worth for you, DeMarco says, you visualize the rewards. Good to know: Resolutions to do new things instead of breaking old habits have a higher success rate.

STEP 3: Break It Down

Once you have your resolution specified, the next step is to break it into actionable sets; otherwise, you may give up. Often people will quit their resolution because the original goal was too lofty and they cannot gauge positive progression. Avoid this by writing out the sub-steps you’ll need to take to accomplish you goal. Next, tell someone. A great way to hold yourself accountable and keep on track is sharing your goals with friends or family.

STEP 4: Be Realistic

With smaller, more realistic goals, you’re likely to succeed. As you achieve your sub-goals, you’ll gain the motivation for continued success. Sense of achievement will give you the confidence needed to succeed with future goals and resolutions.

STEP 5: It's OK to Fail

So you’ve completed all of the steps but you’ve started to fall off track. What now? First, you need to have self-compassion. From a psychological sense, the more we beat ourselves up and feel guilty about something the further you get from your goals. Give yourself a break, and get back on the horse. If going easy on yourself is hard for you, try thinking of it in a different way--What would you say to a loved one who had a setback in reaching their goals? Now… say it to yourself!

How Can Coaching Help Keep Your New Year's Resolution(s)?

Coaching leverages the power of behavioral science and effectively helps you create your own strategy for change.  Enlisting the help of a professional coach is a uniquely empowering and effective way for you to actively engage in your own wellness. The relationship created between the coach and client generates powerful momentum to help facilitate meaningful and positive behavioral change for improved and lasting wellness.  Through the process of coaching, you'll have the opportunity to connect the best of who are to where you want to be in life. Take that step today and bridge the gap between "wanting it" and "doing it". 

For a limited time, Natural Awakenings readers will receive 15% off Integrative Coaching packages. Learn more at www.TheCenterForIntentionalHealing.com

Also, check out Shannon’s new blog, Living Full, for more tips and tricks for living with mindful intention. Such blog posts include: 10 Tips to Start Being Mindful NOW and Show Yourself Some Love

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