Get Unstuck in 2017- 7 Tips to Turn Resolutions into Results with Confidence
You HAVE to be willing to change in order to achieve results. It helps if you leave the broken resolution system behind. You know, the one where you make a wish, put it on your vision board, and then forget about it after two weeks or when some major news causes a distraction? It's fine to create a resolution and I'll provide you with seven tips to get results using action and confidence. Let's review some common resolutions first.
"Change the way you look at things and things you look at change."
According to Visa consumer research, New Year resolutions and goals are still in style. As a matter of fact, 35% consumers want to get their financial house in order (19.8%) and save more money (14.9%), 35% want to get healthier, 9.7% seek to spend time with family, 9.5% want a new job, 7.7% desire to travel more, and 3% want to start or end a relationship. The difference between making such resolutions and actually achieving them is the ability to change.
Change is happening everywhere around us, so what's stopping the process of change in YOUR life? Common hindrances often include FEAR; perceived time and financial constraints; lack of skill, knowledge and mentors; and low confidence. I encourage you to embrace change by "finding a way, not an excuse."
Last year, I was able to produce desired results using action while facing similar change obstacles. How can you do the same? Here's 7 tips to get you started with confidence.
1. Visualize. Many people start AND stop here. It's important to create the picture of what you want and where you want to go. It doesn't matter if you use a vision board, box, or journal, just get a visual map so that next steps can be planned with clarity.
2. Change your mindset. Instead of "resolutions" or "goals" declare "personal objectives". You do it annually for work and in many cases achieve the results for reward, so why not do it for yourself? Write clear and specific actions with milestones for your career, home life, or budding business. It's like personalized SMART goals.
3. Master your time. Improve productivity by using technology the right way. Be conscious and allocate time for things most important to you such as family, personal development, exercise, networking, leisure, and social media. Schedule timers on your phone and use wearable technology to track performance. You'll be amazed at how this small step provides real time data useful for fine tuning action. Your self-confidence will soar upon reviewing capabilities and achieving results. Darren Hardy, author of The Compound Effect, suggests that success can be multiplied by doing something daily.
4. Organize your environment. Seth Godin asks "What is the smallest possible project worth my time?" Focus on creating environments where you can produce and make good decisions. I'm a huge fan of Marie Kondo, founder of the Kon Mari method, who promotes decluttering and the tidying up of spaces. Environments have tremendous impact on the psyche, so it helps to get your house and car in order. Start with a small win to build momentum such as organizing a junk drawer. Schedule time over the first quarter of the year to read her book and in the interim, watch YouTube videos of the Kon Mari method to jumpstart your success.
5. Invest in yourself. Decisions like this shape destiny. As a repeat award-winning saleswoman, I have benefitted personally and financially from quarterly training breaks lasting up to one week early in my career. During this time, I was removed from daily distractions and provided with an opportunity to fine tune my skills, hear motivational speakers, share best practices with peers, and see new things while learning. I highly recommend scheduling a quarterly learning break and identifying resources that lead to success. Whether it be paid courses, books, webinar trainings, conferences, public speaking training, etc., allocate time and a budget for these activities. If you don't invest in yourself, who will? Your confidence will also increase upon investing in personal development and learning. Confident people tend to be successful and earn more. As a Business professor and coach, I see it all of the time.
6. Schedule time for self care. If you're constantly exhausted or burned out, how can you achieve your objective and give your best? Improve productivity and the way you feel about yourself by making health a priority. Whether you schedule a monthly massage, yearly physical, bi-annual dentist appointment, meditate, exercise, or consult with a nutritionist, it will be a step in the right direction. It is time that more leaders advocate for a 'pause' in life. Cell phones manage many functions throughout the day with a need to be recharged, so don't you think you deserve the same? Unplug and treat yourself like royalty from time to time. If you need help with this, register for The Glam Retreat I host for leaders and influencers at www.luckfit.com. It's an event designed for recharging, fine tuning your plan, and connecting with high performing peers who can help accelerate change.
7. Be gentle with yourself on this journey. There's bound to be things you can't control so be mindful of your capabilities, skills, and prior successes. Learn to recite affirmations, get ample sleep, eliminate multitasking, and rest your mind. With practice, you'll become more confident in your ability to persevere. "Stick to the journey when you're hardest hit, it's when things seem worst that you must not quit."
These 7 tips will work if you work them this year. Let's help others get unstuck by sharing this article and inviting them to my
