A new way to make resolutions work

Before you commit to your 2019 New Year’s resolutions, think back a year ago.

How did those 2018 resolutions work out? Perhaps they included working smarter, finding a better job, losing some weight, reading more, taking up a new hobby and/or spending more time with family.

Were these new for 2018 or for some reason do they keep coming up year after year? There are lots of reasons that the accomplishment of New Year’s resolutions ultimately fail. We get busy, stuff happens, and we lose our focus and energy around these “life enhancements.”

Tomorrow when the clock strikes midnight, we begin 2019, hopefully loaded with optimism and renewed energy focused on accomplishing a great deal in the next 12 months.

But, how do we take these annual resolutions and actually accomplish them? Here are some ways to improve the probability that each day your resolutions at and outside of work actually get accomplished:

Be specific -– If goals are too general, they may be a challenge to accomplish. For instance, “get a better job” is a great start, but if you are really serious about accomplishing that goal, detail your game plan, including a timeline, on how you intend to attain getting a new and better job in 2019.

This is hard work and requires an unrelenting focus and persistence if you expect to be successful.

Be accountable — Whether it is working with a coach, spouse or a good friend, let at least one other person know what you intend to accomplish (on a confidential basis of course). Give them permission to follow up with you on your game plan and what you have accomplished towards attaining your goal.

Having the right person to support you will really help you at times when you are tempted to give up on your New Year’s resolution(s).

Make it attainable –- Your resolution(s) should be realistic and attainable. That includes keeping your goals to perhaps just a few.

Think about today and tomorrow -– As you get ready for bed, think through the day you just experienced –- the good, the bad and the ugly. How can you improve upon your performance and have a better tomorrow? Also, look at your calendar and think through the day’s events and anticipated tasks.

In other words, get ready for tomorrow, today. This daily routine will keep you on track towards the attainment of your goals. Every day, we each have an opportunity to make a positive difference at work, in the community and with our respective families.

Consider making it a goal that by the time you go to bed for the night, you have impacted someone. It may be a simple thank you to someone at work or a random act of kindness that made someone’s day.

One day at a time — Each day brings new opportunities we think may happen and also those that we did not anticipate. That is what makes life so fun!

Perhaps you have heard the statement that “happiness is a choice.” It’s pretty true as the attitude we take into the day and maintain throughout the day pretty much determines if it was a good or bad day.

It’s a matter of making life happen rather than waiting for life to happen to you. Sustaining a great attitude is important as you go through the year and definitely critical on tough days.

Whether it is learning a new skill set at work, being more organized or just being a nicer person, focus on incremental improvements each and every day. Staying focused on the day at hand rather than being overwhelmed with what tomorrow or next week brings is a heck of lot easier to manage and a lot less stressful!

Remember that all you have is today, as tomorrow is not promised. You just have now.

We all start out the year with good intentions.

In addition to your 2019 resolutions, try to be better at what you do today than you were yesterday and repeat this approach tomorrow. If you do that, you can actually change the world, and that is a resolution worth accomplishing.

Wishing you the best year of your life!

Pat Perry is a business author of two books, business advisor and keynote speaker.