From Resolutions to Results: A Blueprint for Long-Term Success

Do you have New Year’s resolution hangover?

Don’t despair, you’re not alone. Statistics show that about 8% of people manage to keep their New Year’s resolutions through January.

What’s sad about that is that it often leaves us feeling defeated and ashamed of our lack of willpower, a little bit like a post-party hangover. Even more stunning is that only about 1% follow through to the end of the year.

It doesn’t matter whether you resolve to build a strong social media presence, explore AI solutions, or travel to every state in the US. We all fail at times.

So why do so many fail?

It’s often because we make our resolutions about things outside our control. It’s like aiming to be the world’s best cookie maker and trying to satisfy everybody’s tastebuds. It becomes a never-ending job of pleasing others. However, if your goal is to become the best cookie maker you can be, you will be able to create a path to increase your skills and measure progress.

So, here are a few things to consider.

Process Over Perfection: Sometimes our goals seem so big that we feel defeated even before we get started. Instead of making it an all-or-nothing quest, focus on breaking them into easy-to-follow milestones. Small, consistent steps make your goals more manageable, and having a structured roadmap makes it easier to stay on track and build momentum over time. By creating a step-by-step plan, you are also able to create measurable progress indicators and allow for adjustments along the way.

I learned this the hard way when I decided to create a video series about my services and was hellbent on getting it perfect right out of the gate. I got so overwhelmed and was ready to throw in the towel until my coach reminded me that good enough is a great start and all we ever can do is learn and grow from our mistakes. So, we switched the focus from perfection to impact and created a plan.

Pro tip: Don’t forget to celebrate as you reach each milestone.

The Power of Habits: Often our goals require us to change a deeply rooted behavior, so it’s important to honestly identify habits that will align or compete with your goals. There is an abundance of resources available and most agree that the fastest and easiest way to become consistent is by building upon existing routines. By incorporating them into your current daily routine, you’re creating a path to success that becomes second nature.

One of my clients was so afraid of letting go of control that he habitually double and triple-checked the work of others. Not only did the habit prevent growth opportunities but also left employees disillusioned and uncommitted. Minor adjustments to his project management system allowed him to feel informed and the employees didn’t feel micromanaged. As he worked to change, the company morale improved and profits grew exponentially.

Pro tip: Allow room for grace – we all trip up at times so it’s important to remember that it’s not a sprint, but a marathon, and every small step gets you closer even if you occasionally slow down. 

Identify What You Truly Want: Sometimes, we set resolutions or goals without truly identifying what we want. It’s easy to say we want to lose X amount of weight or make a certain amount of money, but it takes a little more effort to identify the deeper impact those goals will have in our lives. Losing those extra pounds might mean more energy to play with your kids or reverse a family history of health issues. Financial goals can equal freedom to travel, start a business, or work less.   Take a moment to reflect on your resolutions and understand why they matter to you. Identifying your underlying desires will strengthen your motivation and resolve when your willpower might otherwise falter.

Pro tip: Our goals typically don’t stand in isolation, so as you consider what you want to achieve make sure that it doesn’t interfere or contradict other important areas of your life.

 

So, here’s to being part of the 1% who start strong, follow through, and finish stronger.  Trust the process, break it down, and watch your resolutions and dreams become reality.

Ready, set, go – Let’s do this together!