Are you planning on setting any New Year’s resolutions on Sunday? One of the most popular centres around physical health or weight loss. They say that only 8% of the people who set these kind of goals keep them. So what do you suppose sets the 8% apart from the rest? What draws someone to set goals in the first place and what supports them in making them happen? Are they the ones who want significantly more out of life than they are currently getting? Do they go it on their own, or do they enlist help to get them to where they want to go?
As a person who works with people all year ‘round to stretch their vision of what’s possible and create strategies to achieve their goals, I have come to understand a bit about what might make or break a person’s success at creating and coping with change. Here are my top top 10 thoughts around what really increases the chances of success:
The goal must address a real need or pain point. I believe people only change if they really, really want to or they are in the position where they have to change. The goals set matter to them and they are not being set just because they think they “should” or to please someone else. They can articulate why they want what they want.
People are usually very clear about what they don’t want in their current reality. When a person can gain clarity around what they do want instead, that is when real progress can happen. My guess is that those in the 8% club can describe in great detail what success looks like, sounds like, feels like and why the change is important to them. They get to a place where they can define what success is to them and their goals become really specific and actionable.
Internal resources like motivation, strengths, mental, spiritual and emotional capacity and beliefs are articulated, encouraged, supported, challenged and often times enhanced and sometimes changed to support the desired goals and changes sought. This internal growth is what most often drives external change and impact.
Sometimes a change in one area of one’s life necessitates confronting a competing commitment in another area of life or perception that is vitally dependent on maintaining the status quo. In these cases, it is super helpful to have a collaborator who can help address an underlying mindset, perception or perspective and perhaps a competing commitment that blocks the very change that is sought.
Change almost always requires a deep dive below the surface to face fears, reevaluate commitments, shift a mind set, change thought patterns, or clarify core values.
Often there are several strategies one can explore and commit to when striving to reach a goal. Various strategies are weighed and examined and maybe even test driven for a while to see if they suit the need. Allowing oneself time to simply contemplate the possibilities for change before taking concrete action is often the most powerful first action step.
Setting up a system of accountability for tracking progress and if at all possible, an accountability partner who can help to support and celebrate action towards a goal is vital. Successful strategies for reaching a goal are realistic and achievable and constructed in a way that allows progress to be tracked or measured. Sometimes progress towards goals goals can be self-assessed. The most powerful input and feedback, however, generally comes from a trusted outside source.
Celebration for small shifts and wins is like sunshine to flowers. Achievement of goals is definitely helped along by celebrating all the way along the path to success.
Paying attention to self-talk and being kind and compassionate with ourselves as we make changes or fail to be perfectly on track is also hugely beneficial. Two steps forward and one step back is not the end of the world. Leaving behind an all or nothing mentality can be very helpful for continued progress.
Having someone stand for us, and believe we are capable of making the changes we seek also increases the chances of success. I am willing to bet that the people in the “8% club” have someone in their corner encouraging them, challenging them, believing in them and acknowledging their progress along the way.
If these top 10 sound like what a coach does to inspire and encourage people to successfully transition from current reality to desired change, you would be right. These ARE the kinds of things I assist clients with through coaching. I also strongly believe that transformative change in outward impact is gained primarily through internal change!
It takes a pain point and leaning into one’s current reality, a deep desire for change, specificity in goal setting, dedication and work, time, internal and external resourcing, shifts in mindset and perspective, action, accountability and celebration, but success in achieving one’s goals is most definitely possible. Why not increase your chances of being one of those successful in realizing their resolutions and hire a coach? I would love to be your collaborator! Please call and have a conversation with me to find out if we mesh and you want me in your corner in 2018.