#1: No Real Desire
Think about it. If you really wanted to achieve something, why do you have to wait until the new year to start on it?
It simply means you don’t desire it enough. Or more likely, there is not enough pain NOW to move towards your goal, NOW. (Most of us are motivated more by pain than pleasure!)
Do you actually care enough to start NOW?
Here’s what you can do:
Write down the “resolution” and all the reasons why you HAVE to achieve it. Include pleasures you get/feel if you achieve it and the pains you get/feel if you don’t achieve it.
Keep writing as many as possible, however mundane it may be until you find one that makes you break down and cry, that emotional one that hits you like a brick wall. Don’t stop until you find that one BIG Pleasure/Pain point.
Now that, is a real strong desire to start with!
#2: Not enough Clarity
Are you resolutions or goals S.M.A.R.T enough?
Are they
1. Specific?
2. Measurable?
3. Attainable?
4. Relevant?
5. Time-bound?
1. Specific: Is your resolution/goal clear enough? Can you see your target clearly?
For example, I want to lose weight (very vague!) vs something more specific like I want to lose 5 kg.
2. Measurable: Can you quantify your resolution/goal?
For example, what does “I want to be healthier” mean? How do you measure that? Could it be changed to “I will lower my blood pressure from 140 to 120”? That would be more measurable, right?
3. Attainable: Is your resolution/goal realistic?
For example, if you have never started a business before with zero relevant experience or connections and your resolution is to be a multi-millionaire within 1 year in your new business, could that be abit unrealistic?
4. Relevant: Is this resolution/goal really that important or worthwhile to you now? Or are you making one up because its the time of the year and everyone else is doing the same?
For example, you may really have no interest to lose weight, but because you have been asked what your new year resolution is, you feel the pressure to say something and thus give a hasty new year resolution of losing weight.
5. Time-bound: Is there a time frame for you to achieve this resolution/goal?
For example, “I want to lose 5kg”…by when? Its quite different to lose 5 kg in 2 months compared with 12 months. There will be different strategies and action plans for different time-frames.
Here’s what you can do:
Re-look your resolutions/goals and refine them using the S.M.A.R.T questions above!
#3: Not enough Focus
“’Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.” – Bill Gates
How many concurrent resolutions/goals are you working on now?
Each of them requires time, energy and resources. Are you multi-tasking hoping to achieve all/most of them with mediocre results when it may be better to focus on one first, achieve a high quality result and habit which will set the benchmark for the rest?
Here’s what you can do:
Streamline your long list to 1-3 resolutions/goals and prioritise 1 to work on first. Focus on the one which will impact you the most in the long run and put the rest on the back-burner.
#4: Not enough Commitment
Are you resolute on your resolution/goals already?
Definition of Resolute: Admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering.
Without a doubt, there will be challenges, internal and external. To achieve your resolutions/goals, there needs to be some change. And as we all know, human beings are creatures of comfort and most change is tough, well, at least initially.
Are you committed to stick through your plan to achieve your resolutions/goals despite all odds? Or will you succumb to reasons, excuses and circumstances?
Here’s what you can do:
Look through your resolutions/goals again and ask yourself this question. Are you truly committed to achieve this, no matter what it takes? If the answer is anything but Yes, its time to remove it and focus on the ones you can be committed to!
#5: Not Enough Strategy & Planning
It is joked that people spend more time planning their holidays than their life.
Same situation for a New Year’s Resolutions/Goals. Often, its just a thing to announce because everyone has one. So people come out with a general statement like, lose weight, spend more time with family, make more money etc.
But where’s the strategy and plan? Where’s the monitoring, review and correction? Where are the systems or habits in place throughout the journey? Sadly its usually lacking.
Here’s what you can do:
Break down your resolutions/goals into smaller parts with timelines. Get an action plan together so you can work towards them on a day to day basis. Systemize things as much as possible. More importantly, form new habits towards achieving your resolutions/goals.
Remember to include the monitoring and review timings too so that you don’t lose track of progress or stagnation.
# 6: Not Enough Accountability
Who is your support group and Coach?
You’ll most likely need a support group or someone to be accountable to as you move towards your goals. It could be for a number of reasons.
1) Some peer pressure to move you forward
2) Someone to review/correct/advise along this journey
3) Someone to “report” to so you have more personal accountability (other than to yourself!)
Here’s what you can do:
Identify your support group. They are likely people you are comfortable with and can share openly. Ideally, they’re also highly encouraging and can support you in varied ways.
Communicate what you want to achieve with them and ask for their support, depending on their availability and strengths.
Also, please consider investing in a Personal Coach who can assist you fast-track through the entire process of clarifying, simplifying, strategising, creating systems/habits and lastly, reviewing and holding you accountable over a period of time.
FYI, I have been Certified and doing Life Coaching since 2005, specialising in Career, Life, Relationships & Business Coaching.
It’s been one of my greatest pleasures to assist people move forward in their lives and I am excited to launch the “KICK-ASS Power Habits Coaching Program today!”.
I’d like to invite you to head on there and find out more about it and the limited time offer you wouldn’t want to miss!
Thank you for considering Coaching for yourself!
SOULution Hub 