Achieve a Balance in Life in the New Year
|
“My
Two Cents” by Cindy Pickens – Cynergy Your portfolio of management skills includes
goal-setting, strategic planning and project management. Most
business professionals use these skills every day. So why do so
many of us have difficulty in setting and achieving the personal
goals called New Year’s resolutions? Don't avoid setting
resolutions this year just because you have broken them in the
past. Try some of these simple tips for setting practical - and
attainable - goals. Ending an undesirable behavior – such as breaking a bad habit – is daunting, unpleasant, and hard to do. You are more likely to succeed by focusing on beginning a new positive behavior instead. Think of a resolution as a business plan. A business plan is based on positive activity – it might move you away from an undesirable situation, but it does so by focusing on positive movement toward a desirable goal. Like a business plan, a resolution made impulsively will last as long as the thinking that went into it. A resolution is most likely to be successful with careful planning and commitment, with dedicated resources and support, and with realistic measurement and flexibility in execution. This year, try some of these simple tips for setting practical - and attainable - goals. Tips for New Year's Resolutions 1. Be realistic. If you do not already exercise regularly, a resolution to run a marathon by year's end is not realistic. Pick a safe, attainable, positive goal with a realistic timeframe. Also choose a goal in which you are confident of your ability to succeed. Confidence is a strong predictor of success. 2. Be yourself. Set resolutions based on your own wishes, desires, goals and dreams, not those of society or those persons close to you. This might seem obvious, but many people waste time trying to meet someone else’s expectations. A resolution is bound to fail if it isn't from your heart. 3. Manage your own expectations. A resolution to stop a long list of unhealthy habits is likely to fail. You cannot change everything at once. Set attainable goals in one or two specific areas that are most important to you - such as fitness, family, friendship, career or positive alternatives to anger or stress. 4. Stay in control. If you resolve to “have a new job by summer," your success depends not only upon your own initiative, but also upon the economy, the job market in your field, and many other external factors over which you have no control. Instead, resolve to “update my resume and send it out to X companies by summer." That way, the success of your resolution is entirely within your control. 4. Set intermediate goals. If your final goal seems overwhelming, decide where you'd like to be in three or six months, and check your progress then. Achieving smaller goals gives you a sense of accomplishment and movement toward your larger goal. 5. Plan for challenges and barriers. Whether you are addressing an area of need or expanding an area of strength, accomplishing your resolutions may require you to change long-established patterns of behavior. Develop coping strategies up front to help you adapt to your new ways. 6. Use your support team. In a previous newsletter I mentioned the importance of developing and maintaining a personal support team to achieve a Balance in Life. This team of trusted business colleagues, family and friends is crucial to achieving your New Year’s resolutions. Your team will give you strength and motivation, while you in turn support your teammates in meeting their own resolutions. 7. Monitor your progress regularly. Even the most carefully constructed plan requires adjustment as conditions change or unknown factors emerge. Keep track of your progress and allow for occasional setbacks. Only a few resolutions are completely and successfully accomplished the first time. Be prepared to modify your goals and persevere. 8. Reward yourself. Meeting a goal is a reward in itself, but also give yourself an emotional boost and renewed motivation by rewarding yourself in other ways when you reach your intermediate and final goals. Most professionals are aware of their strengths and weaknesses, but they often set resolutions that only address the weaknesses. This year, think positively when setting your New Year's resolutions. The most successful managers do. Working Smart + Living Your Values = Balance in Life To learn more about Cynergy's
on-demand web seminars, visit us at...
Take Care… |
