Magic is in the Action - Not the Name
With the holiday season winding down, many of us are now looking forward to the new year and what it will bring. Are you making New Year’s resolutions? Are you creating 2019 goals? Do you have dreams that you hope will take shape next year? No matter what you call it, sweeping out the old year and viewing the new year with anticipation, hope and even some fear of the unknown, many often view this as a fresh beginning. This can be used as an opportunity to forge new paths, try new things, and make new plans. But how can you make them stick? How can you ensure that you have success?
Here are five tips that can help you to create lasting momentum to create transformational change in the new year:
1. Get clarity on what it is that you really want.
It is easy to have many loosely defined hopes and dreams. It is much more difficult, but easier to achieve, if you create realistic goals that you truly want to happen. These can then be used as stepping stones to achieve greater things. Create a firm foundation, and almost anything can become possible to achieve.
2. Create an action plan to achieve your goals.
A goal without a plan is just a dream. Create an overall strategy for achieving your goal. Then set logical, actionable steps to move you from point A to point B. Understand what it will take to accomplish each step. Plan on completing a minimum of one action daily that is outside of your normal routine and responsibilities that will move you one step closer to your goals.
3. Devise alternative actions for overcoming obstacles.
Quitting is not a strategy. Avoidance is not a strategy. A work-around is a strategy. Find an alternative route when you hit a barrier in pursuit of your goals. Be resilient and steadfast in your determination. Be relentless in your pursuit. Nothing that was ever gained was done so through stopping at the first sign of defeat. Obstacles clarify your true desires and build character in your pursuit of them.
4. Have accountability for creating your results.
Be accountable for your actions. Your actions are where the magic happens! If it would be beneficial to you, find someone to help keep you accountable. Then report to this person weekly on your accomplishments and setbacks. Sharing your goals with another person can go a long way in helping you to stay on track in working toward success. Most people do not want to look like a failure to others. Use this psychological tool to your advantage and enlist the help of someone to hold you to the task.
5. Celebrate your wins.
As you make progress and create change, take time to celebrate your successes. Keep a journal or logbook to record your progress. This confidence-builder can help you to stay focused on the outcomes when things are not going as planned. It also allows you to track your progression toward the goal to be alert for what is working exceptionally well, and what may need to be revised to make it more effective.
New Year’s resolutions usually start out with a lot of gusto, but then fizzle out quickly. The desire for change can be a motivation to get started but doesn’t often have the staying power to be permanent unless accompanied by an implementation strategy for the long-haul. Whether you are creating a resolution to find a better job or creating goals for the growth of your business, I can coach you through your journey to keep you motivated and on the path to success. Let 2019 be the year that you shift your mindset to create lasting transformational change!
Shelley Hastings is the Founder, CEO and Success Coach of Synergy Empowerment Coaching, LLC, a company specializing in coaching for success in career and business. She is a member of the prestigious invitation-only Forbes Coaches Council and can be found on social media through LinkedIn and Facebook. Shelley can be contacted by phone at (302) 536-9494, or by emailing her at shelley@synergyempowermentcoaching.com.
