One month from now, most of you will be giving up on your New Years resolutions. Seriously- think about it: On January first, the world is your oyster. You are going to lose weight, drink less, exercise more, organize your closet, learn Mandarin…whatever. And then, all of a sudden it’s December fourth and you’re done.
How do you change that mindset?
Think of it like this: do athletes just show up at the field/arena/stadium and play? Or do they start training weeks earlier?
Yeah….weeks earlier. So when the season starts they are warmed up and ready and have a game plan.
So think of December as your pre season to New Years Resolutions.
- What? Pick one resolution (I call them goals) Think about it- It’s better to succeed at one then fail at four.
- Why? Make sure you want to change or resolve for the correct reasons (do you want to lose weight because you want to feel better, or because you think you will attract a partner if you’re thinner?)
- Who? Find a buddy to talk to about your resolution, or an expert that will give you logical advice. Think about Doctors, trainers and teachers that can help you succeed.
- Where? Figure out if you need a place to help your goal. Gym? Dedicated writing area? I know people who fail at writing goals because they don’t have a place to write that makes them feel comfortable to be creative.
- How? This is the big one. How are you going to accomplish your resolution? Here’s my one cent: Make a plan. Figure out what tools you need. Look to the internet for advice (this is the good thing about the net- the plethora of information available at your fingertips) Write out the steps and put them in your planner (you know my secret goal is to get all of you to use a planner)
- When? When things get tough, when things don’t go the exact way you want (your triceps are still wiggly) what will be your motivation to get to the next step?
You don’t have to resolve to do anything- but let’s face it: most of us do. So if you’re going to set up a goal for 2019, you might as well prepare yourself the best you can. You can’t just wake up on January first and know how you’re going to learn Mandarin. Make it that January first starts your new timeline. January One is the day you do a duolingo that you have already registered for.
Prep work. It’s a good thing. It can help you get to where you are going.