Every year, many of us set New Year's Resolutions but according to a recent article, most of us will break that resolution by the end of January. The same article included some great tips on how to turn those resolutions into reality. Read on for some great information.
RISMEDIA, January 6, 2011—Did you know that 90% of Americans break their New Year’s Resolutions by January 31st? You can prevent this from happening, and turn your resolutions into a reality by following the tips listed below.
Tip 1: Be clear and specific
People are always coming to me and telling me “I want to be more successful.” Is this your goal for the New Year? If so, then start to think in specifics. What does success mean to you?
Here’s a guideline to get you started. Imagine yourself doing work you love and be specific. Imagine yourself working with your ideal clients. What characteristics do you want them to have? Do you want them to be decisive, motivated, and up beat?
What income do you want to make in the next year? How many transactions do you want to do this coming year? How many transactions per month?
Once you have answered these questions, you will have a more clear idea of what it means to “be successful.” Every person’s definition of success is different. All you have to do is be crystal clear about your own personal definition of success.
Tip 2: Know your blocks and obstacles
Ask yourself what blocks and obstacles you will have to overcome to reach your goals. Take an inventory of your own self-limiting beliefs. Here are some of the most common self-limiting beliefs that I hear from my clients:
-“I don’t have what it takes to succeed in today’s market”
-“I’m not assertive enough to market myself”
-“I’m not educated enough to be successful”
-“Who am I to have an abundance of prosperity?”
Dig down and find out which self-limiting beliefs have been stopping you. With the help of a mentor or a coach, these can easily be changed. If you don’t change them, they will continue to hold you back.
Do you feel stuck? People often report feeling like “I have one foot on the gas and one foot on the brake.” That’s a pretty good indication of self-limiting beliefs or self-sabotaging strategies.
What is a self-sabotaging strategy? This is a pattern that never allows you to break free of old patterns and move forward. Procrastination and avoiding marketing are examples of how people often sabotage themselves.
To turn your resolutions into a reality, resolve to replace self-limiting beliefs with empowered beliefs and reverse self-sabotaging strategies.
Tip 3: What areas do you need to develop?
In my 14+ years of coaching entrepreneurs to double or triple their incomes, I always find that there are areas that need to be developed. For example, a lot of my clients have never mastered the art of prospecting. This may not have been such a big issue in the last 10 years, but in today’s changing market, you need to learn how to become an expert in prospecting.
What holds you back? Are you afraid to make calls? Some of my clients were even afraid to make calls to their sphere of influence before they received some coaching to find out how easy that can be. I find that when we know what to say, making the call is easy.
How confident do you feel about your marketing presentation? How about speaking in front of a group? Do you find there are areas that need to be developed? Set some specific action steps to help you get the training you need—whether it’s a coach, a mentor, a training group, books or CDs. Don’t let those areas slide if you want to turn your resolutions into a reality.
Tip 4: Have a timeline and a plan
So you want to be successful? By what date? Stephen Covey suggests that we “begin with the end in mind.” If you project your success out to a year from today, what action steps do you need to take?
Start by noticing the areas that you want to have as your main focus. For most entrepreneurs, the areas they want to focus on are: confidence building, marketing, and time management. What are your main focus areas? Once you determine them, create your strategies.
How will you build confidence, learn to market yourself and improve your time management?
A huge factor in the success of your plan is to build in some accountability. As an entrepreneur, you know how easy it is to let accountability slide. After all, you are your own boss.
This is a big reason why people hire coaches, mentors, or join a master mind group. They want some help in holding themselves accountable. If you create a set of action steps for the week, you are much more likely to do them if you are reporting to somebody at the end of the week. That person should ask you, “how did your action steps go?” Do you think you will be more likely to do them if you know that someone else cares?
Tip 5: Visualize the end result
Did you know that most top athletes mentally rehearse and visualize themselves performing at their best? If you’re really serious about manifesting what you want this year, take advantage of this important strategy.
Picture yourself in a year from now having all the money you want. See yourself living in the house of your dreams, driving the car that you always desired. Visualize yourself being appreciated by your clients and your family. Feel the positive feelings that this gives you. Do you feel calm, confident, and empowered? What other feelings come up for you?
Follow these five tips and you are guaranteed to turn your resolutions into a reality.
For more information on this article, "5 Tips to Turn a Resolution Into a Reality" or the author, Dr. Maya Bailey, visit the link above.
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