The good news is that there are strategies to help individuals increase their chances of success.
Here are some tips:
Set specific, realistic goals: Clearly define resolutions with specific, achievable targets. For instance, instead of saying, "I want to exercise more," specify, "I will exercise for 30 minutes, three times a week."
Break it down: Divide larger goals into smaller, manageable steps. Create a timeline or monthly/weekly milestones to track progress and stay motivated.
Did you ever want to achieve something badly and then commit yourself to doing something about it, only to fall short, perhaps even spectacularly?
If you answered yes, I have some “good” news for you. You’re not alone. Hardly so.
The most common example of this “want-commit-fail” continuum is, of course, New Year’s resolutions. Common resolutions like exercising more, eating healthier, and saving money often top the list. While statistics on fulfilling New Year's resolutions vary, studies suggest that a significant portion of people struggle to stick to their resolutions long-term.
According to research conducted by the University of Scranton, only about 8% of people achieve their New Year's resolutions. This low success rate is often attributed to various factors such as unrealistic goals, lack of specific plans, and insufficient commitment.
Read MoreSetting effective goals can significantly improve your productivity and help you achieve more. Here are some tips to help you set goals that motivate action and enhance your productivity:
Be Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve. Specific goals provide a clear direction and make it easier to measure progress.
Make Them Measurable: Set measurable criteria to track your progress. Measurable goals help you stay focused and motivated as you see yourself getting closer to the target.
Read MoreIn my previous post, I shared some surprising statistics about goal setting.
Or, should I say non-goal setting?
As in only 3% of the population setting goals and only about 1% of people writing them down.
The question is, why this so?
According to Brian Tracy, the 5 main reasons are:
They are not serious enough about being successful - “I know I should, but…”
They fail to understand the importance of goals - “Do they REALLY make a difference? I’ve tried them before and it didn’t work.”
They just don’t know how to do it - “I would if I knew how.”
They fear being rejected by others - “If I set goals, they’ll tell me that I’ll fail.”
They fear the failure of not meeting their goals - “Can I really do it this time?”
At different times in my career, I would have admitted to at least some, if not all of these.
Read MoreDid you know that only 3% of the population set goals and only about 1% of people write them down?
Yet, success expert Brian Tracy writes that, “the ability to set goals and make plans for their accomplishment is the ‘master skill’ of success. It is the single most important skill that you can learn and perfect. Goal setting will do more to help you achieve the things you want in life than will anything else you’ve been exposed to.
Read MoreProductivity is about achieving meaningful results and making the most of your time, while busyness is simply being occupied with activities, whether they are important or not. The key to personal and professional success is to prioritize productivity over busyness, focusing on tasks and activities that truly contribute to your goals and using your time efficiently and effectively.
Read MoreIt’s that time of year again.
When we look at ourselves in the mirror and start berating ourselves.
“Why can’t you ever keep a resolution even for a single week?”
If you’re one of those, the good news - if you can call it that - is that you’re not alone.
How long do most people’s New Year's resolutions last?
Read MoreIn his book Atomic Habits, author James Clear explains why habits are so difficult to break.
It's because we tend to focus on surface-level actions.
Most people start by focusing on outcome-based goals like...
“I want to lose 20 pounds.”
“I want to write a best-selling book.”
But these are surface level changes.
Read MoreFrom the moment we wake up each day, we’re faced with a continuous flow of choices. Many are minor and some are major. Even things that don’t seem so important, like what to take along for lunch or which task to complete first, can become bigger deals when we start to consider how aligned they are (or aren’t) with our goals and strategic priorities.
When we’re confronted with too many options, we tend to feel overwhelmed, anxious, stressed or otherwise out of sorts. This is known as decision fatigue, a state of mental overload that can impede our ability to make additional decisions. When our minds are fatigued, we tend to make worse decisions and exercise less self-control.
Read More
