Are you rethinking your New Year’s resolutions yet? I can help.
There’s no end of articles online telling us how to be more successful in keeping New Year’s resolutions—and why we fail. According to the Internet, a failure-prone resolution is often:
- Vague
- Secret
- One of many
- A repeat from last year
It seems we set ourselves up to be naughty. And it doesn’t feel nice.
How do we turn intentions into achievements instead of excuses?
There are as many answers as there are websites. But one of my co-workers gave me a good lead. A few years ago, she resolved to do one thing out of her comfort zone every month.
She had no immediate plans, schedules or details in her pocket. She took a burlesque dance class one month. She lived abroad for 9 months. She counted her resolution a huge success.
No one told her she should do it. No one checked up on her. She did it because she wanted to. Naughty…or smart?
But what makes a good business resolution?
I’m tempted to say there’s no such thing. All my research indicates that a New Year’s resolution is a lousy vehicle for accomplishing necessities.
So don’t resolve to do something that’s only important to the business. Do something that’s also important to you. What would you happily work on after hours? Is there an idea or program you’ve been wanting to introduce? Whether your motivation is promotion, a sense of achievement or both, make your business resolution personal.
Do your reverse resolutions first.
Since the New Year’s Eve adrenaline rush is gone, here’s a simple exercise to help you think positively and get excited about your new resolution.
On a piece of paper, list 3-5 things you accomplished last year. Then put a title at the top of the page: 2010 Resolutions. Now cross off everything on your list.
It may sound silly, but do it. You’ll feel naughty and nice at the same time. And you’ll be in the mood to make a resolution you can keep.
PS: For a B2B-specific nudge in the right direction, download your free copy of Demand Creation: Planning Assumptions 2011 from SiriusDecisions, compliments of BNJ.
I like the reverse resolutions idea. It makes me feel all accomplished already this year!
As for this years resolutions, i’ve gone with the ‘make loads, hope that i complete some of them’ approach.
Fingers crossed! Happy New Year!
Cheers, Rich! I often subscribe to the ‘resolve in bulk, fulfill in part’ method myself. I guess the opposite tactic is to under-promise and over-deliver (forgive the biz-speak)…
At least you’ve gone public with your resolutions, so you’ve eliminated resolution pitfall #2!
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