Traditionally, the end of the year brings about a time for renewal and reflection. What worked, what didn’t, where can you improve, and how will you set the world on fire next year? Isn’t it exciting to think of everything you’d like to accomplish?

New directions and goals.

Start fresh and put the past in the past.

Your resolutions fly off the tongue. You are inspired and driven for change. It’ll be the best year ever. Right? Does this sound familiar?

Studies have shown that less than 25% of people are successful at staying committed to their resolutions after 30 days.

Why are resolutions shelved for the END of the year?

You are a work in progress. Constantly evolving, growing, changing, like a chameleon.

Instead of New Year’s Resolutions, consider goals: daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly. Alongside the goals, you can establish habits that are long-lasting and life-changing.

90% of resolutions often fail after two short months. One possible reason is willpower. You know you have it. You’ve tested it, but how long does your iron fist (if necessary) keep on target with your goals? Willpower can be a tricky mind game.

Willpower, like a bicep, can only exert itself so long before it gives out; it’s an extremely limited mental resource. Jonah Lehrer

Why do resolutions fail?

• Overzealous ideas
• Taking on too much
• Lack of real desire for change
• Minimal effort
• Adopting someone else’s resolutions
• It’s something you think you should do, rather than want to do
• Quitting too early

Sure, you had admirable intentions and passion for change but when it is a once-a-year review, it is more challenging to persevere.

An overnight quick fix is not the solution. This mindset is transactional, not transformational. Transformation involves ongoing introspection, discovery, pivots, and corrections.

Create habits and rituals that are indestructible commitments to yourself, your business, or your life.

A prime example is exercise and a gym membership. Enthusiasts show up every January ready to pump iron and sweat it out until they hit their lofty goals. By the end of the first month, most of those once motivated gym-goers are long gone. By February, you’ll typically find only those who have made fitness a lifestyle.

You might be sick and tired of some things in your life or your business, but when you make “resolutions” out of desperation and frustration, they are more challenging to maintain. You may deeply want them. You may feel passionate about change and be ready to execute but think seriously about what you want and why.

Change is ongoing, not a fleeting thought to revisit once a year.

How can you guarantee greater success?

• Start small
• Tie your goal to a habit
• Write down your goals WITH action steps
• Think: S.M.A.R.T. Goals: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely
• Be realistic, not too grandiose
• Make a vision board
• Inspire and motivate yourself
• Celebrate your successes – no matter how large or small
• Be accountable
• Involve others
• Understand you will have ups and downs (that’s okay)
• Realize change takes energy
• Failure is acceptable because you will try again
• Have a plan for your perceived roadblocks
• If you want different results, change the experiment
• Changing or modifying a behavior takes time
• YOU do have time
• Dump the inner critic!!
• When in doubt, ask yourself: “How does this serve my goals?”
• Work on yourself ALL year, not just at the end

Are you ready to create new yearlong habits or New Year’s Resolutions?

Remember this: YOU are the architect of your life. Build your vision.