Did you know that only 8% of people who set a new
year's resolution are still working on their goal 60
days later. After 90 days the percentage becomes
even less - only 4%.
So are you going to be one of the 96%ers this year?
How can you jump into the 4% bracket? If you want
to make a positive change in your life, either
personally or professionally, you need to take action
NOW! But how?
Well here are my tips for your
SUCCESS in 2006:
Start with one step at
a time. Don't look at the whole huge picture or it
can seem too daunting. Any new habit needs time.
The first step is working towards your goal daily.
Then once you've created the habit, increase your
commitment to it day by day. Slowly slowly is OK -
your commitment is the key!
Utilise your support
network. Is there someone you know who is
already working towards your goal? If so, ask them
for advice and help. Perhaps they too were once at
the stage you are at and they can appreciate how
hard it can be to get started, to keep going.
Sometimes we need a kick or a helping hand. Ask for
help and more often than not you will get it!
Commit yourself to
persistence. Sure there will be challenges along
the way, but these are just tests to see how
determined you are to get past them and move
forward. Once you move past, you'll feel fantastic
and that will inspire you even further forward.
Onwards and upwards - that's the way!
Create a vision of
success. Mental visualisation works. Imagine
yourself successful, visualise yourself reaching your
goal, and you will be programming yourself for
success. The more you repeat your new habits, the
more you visualise your success, the more successful
you will be. Dreaming? Why not? It works!
Enjoy the journey.
Don't think you can't be happy while you are in the
process of achieving your goals. Enjoy every step of
the way, congratulate yourself on even the smallest
achievement, stand tall and proud and step out to
your success. But don't beat yourself up if you fall
off the track. Work out why you fell off, fix it, and
then get back on track immediately.
Stay motivated. Take
charge of your thoughts and act upon them. Believe
that you can do it, you can make the next step, you
can reach that next goal. Imagine the euphoria you
will feel when you reach that next step. This in turn
will spur you on to the next step and the next, and
pretty soon you'll be almost there.
Stay positive. A
positive attitude is half the battle. If you think "I'm
not going to do this because I will fail", sure, you will
probably fail. If you say "I'll try", it sounds like you
are only half serious. Our words and our thoughts
show how determined we are. Instead of saying "I'll
try", tell yourself "I will"! It's more challenging, but it
normally gets better results. As Andrew
Matthews says in his wonderful book "Happiness
Now": "This is not a detail. It's the difference
between casual and committed. Often it's the
difference between success and failure."
In 2006, tell yourself you will be successful. It's time
for a new start for us all, new adventures, new
friends, new potential.
Remember what Goethe (the philosopher and
teacher) said: "Whatever you can do or dream
you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and
magic. Begin it now."
