Reality is sinking it. The holiday spirit and festive moods are behind us, we’re a week into this and it really is 2017. We had a week of cold here in Seattle, which my dog loved, but now we’re settling into a more typical week of January Seattle rain. So here we are, in that stage where we’re just now catching our breath and recovering from the frantic pace of December.
Grab a cup of coffee and let’s talk. I’m guessing some of those resolutions may already drifting into your rearview mirror. You’re now thinking to yourself that although they sounded like a fabulous idea a week or two ago, and you really wanted to start the year with a solid plan, perhaps you didn’t get all the way through the process of actually determining how you were going to accomplish them. The action steps. Anyone raising their hand? I bet we all are.
Last week when I was working out at my gym, there was a steady stream of people coming in to sign up for new memberships. New Year Resolutions. It is a well documented phenomena in the fitness industry and happens every year. I’m sure every gym owner could quote you the stats. It’s fun to watch, but discouraging to note that many of those new members never make it back to the gym. Some do, but many don’t. Why? Because “joining a gym” was the resolution. It wasn’t “I’m going to join a gym AND I will go every Monday-Wednesday-Friday from 6:00 to 7:00 to work out. I’ll start with a complimentary session with one of the staff trainers, have them help me set up a balanced fitness workout program, and do it!” The intention is sincere, but there were a few steps missing in the plan.
That, of course, got me thinking. You have your list of resolutions, they’re awesome, and because you’re awesome, you really do want them to become your reality for 2017. If you didn’t write them down in a place where you’re going to see them every day, do it now. Carrying them around in your head allows you to conveniently forget them. Writing them down will make you more accountable. Again, you want to see them EVERY day and remember why you set them in the first place. Be sure to leave some space between them for more writing.
Underneath each one of those goals and write down 3 steps that you can do to get you moving on that goal. We’re past the thinking stage now. This is about creating action steps. Put a star (or whatever) next to the action step you are going to start with. You’ve got to commit to doing it 3 days in a row. When you have that step in motion, you’re going to stack step #2 (your choice) on top of it and do BOTH of them for 3 more days in a row. And then stack step #3 and do all 3 of them for 3 days in a row. Guess what? It’s now been 9 days. You’re past the 1 week mark and you’re doing it! Stack on another week by adding 3 more steps and keep going!
Goals are built on creating successful habits. We can start with one new habit and then add another. It doesn’t happen all in one day. Don’t think too hard about this because your head create all kinds of obstacles. The thinking part was a few weeks ago when these resolutions sounded so great. It’s time now on focus on steps. Small steps and new habits create progress. Progress is measurable. Progress will create a plan to get you to where you want to be. Just. Start.
Your biggest fan,
Jean
