5 Ways to Make Your New Year's Resolutions Actually Stick

Welcome to the second week of 2012!  Have you made any resolutions for the new year, and if so, do you think you’ll keep them?  As we all know, those goals for the year often get side-tracked or forgotten by January 31^st.

While I’m no motivational expert, I do love to read life coaching books and thought I’d share a few tips I’ve gleaned over the years.

Write It Down

Don’t just write the initial list.  That won’t get you very far.  Instead, create a list of mini-goals and the action steps you need to take to accomplish them.  Every night, review the list and write down your action plan for the next day.  There’s something almost magical about putting goals into writing, holding yourself accountable for what you’ve planned to do.

Find Your Motivation

The secret of success is learning how to use pain and pleasure instead of having pain and pleasure use you. If you do that, you're in control of your life. If you don't, life controls you. -- Tony Robbins

I’m a big fan of motivational coach Tony Robbins and one of his main principles has stayed with me over the years.  People will do more to avoid pain than to seek pleasure.  Whether it’s making cold calls, presentations, or following up consistently with social media, it’s easy to let the temporary “pain” of doing the action keep you from attaining the long-term “pleasure” of growing your business and commissions.

I recommend his old book “Awaken the Giant Within” for more on this principle. 

Dream Big

Believe it or not, many people’s new goals for the year aren’t big enough.  I’ve read time and again how people fail in their resolutions because their New Year’s Resolutions aren’t big enough. For 2012, set up some really awesome goals!  Instead of just saying “I want to get more clients” or “I want to try new marketing techniques”, you need to identify the bigger purpose and meaning within your goals.  Think big to create the excitement you need to make changes, and then break it down into small steps to turn those dreams into reality.

Focus on Your Ideal Results

My dad used to say, “If you reach for the stars, you may not grab them, but you won’t end up with a handful of dirt either”.  Go ahead, and let yourself visualize your ideal year, with the results you desire.  Be specific in your visualization.  Then, when you find yourself not wanting to do what you know you really should – dig up that image again of the life you and your family can have – and let that be your motivation.

Here’s to a tremendously successful 2012 filled with joy and purpose!