Secrets of New Year's Resolutions that Work
Copyright 2005 Uncommon Knowledge Ltd
Don't get me wrong. New Year's Resolutions can be a great idea.
A new year, a new you. Thinner, fitter, less smokey... It's all
deeply compelling. I've only got one question. Why don't they
work?
The problem with New Year's Resolutions is we focus on making
the resolution not on keeping it. You get the satisfaction from
making the resolution. You've succeeded!
Not only that, but we tell family, friends and work colleagues.
'No thank you, I've given up...' and even more rewards come our
way as they admire our willpower and determination. Is it any
wonder that our brain decides that making the resolution is
enough? Keeping your plan going seems so much less important
after a while. All that gratification, just for making a
resolution!
Don't fall into Tony's trap
My friend 'Tony' does this all the time. He concocts a scheme,
usually something big. A script for a new sitcom, a sponsored
solo trip skateboarding around the globe, a new business that is
certain to 'go viral'. And people are happy to reward him with
attention and appreciation - even admiration. And all before he
has set pen to paper, bought a skateboard or written a business
plan. Tony forgets that most people are polite.
He waxes lyrical in the bar, at the party, in the coffee shop
and it sounds completely compelling. He draws you in and infects
you with his enthusiasm. He glories in achievements unachieved,
in adventures not experienced and projects not started.
Then a few weeks later you ask Tony how it's going and...well
you know the rest. There were good reasons not to go ahead.
Other people let him down, the weather was against him, someone
else got there first.
So how do you avoid the Tony trap when at New Year resolutions
are firing off like crackers at a Chinese festival?
Reward before effort leaks motivation
Motivation is a fuel that will drive you towards completion of
your goal. But recognition, attention and admiration before
achievement tear holes in your motivation tank causing leakage.
Happily, there is an easy way to prevent leakage and develop a
powerful drive to accomplish your goals.
The power of secrets to generate motivation force Showing off
your ideas before accomplishing them leaks energy like air
escaping from a balloon. But keeping them secret multiplies the
pressure, firing your motivation engine to higher and higher
speeds. If you treat positive attention from others as a
by-product, a happy addition after completing your aims, you
will be astounded at what you can accomplish.
How to make New Year's resolutions that work
I'm going to make a small suggestion. Actually, it's two
suggestions. Firstly, don't tell anybody what you are planning
to do. Keep it secret until it has gained momentum and even
then, only tell those you have to. And secondly, why wait for
January 1? Start, or stop doing whatever it is you plan to do
right now. Or failing that, start your resolution on January 2,
or 3, or 10.
Make a secret New Year's resolution and see how long it is
before people notice. Notice how good you feel with your secret
inside as it slowly dawns on people what you've done. Go on.
Show them what you are capable of.