So we are about 140 days into the year and our New Year’s
resolutions and goals. How is it going so far?
According to the emails I have been receiving, some are doing
amazingly well, others continue to put forth the effort and are
confident that they will eventually succeed, and a few of you have
shared that the goal was just too big, too lofty, or just too
hard.
Well it’s time for that reminder to get back on track regardless
of where you are relative to your goal. And if you haven’t even set
a goal yet, there is no time like the present to start.
What I thought I would share with you this week was the feedback
I have received from the people who are doing amazingly well. The
common denominator seems to be following two of the tips I shared
in the beginning of the year:
Writing down the goal or resolution and sharing with at least
one other person
Understanding that you can make radical changes in minute steps,
start small
In getting back on track, take the time this week to revisit
your original goals and resolutions and write them down. Even if
you did initially take the time to put pen to paper, rewrite them
again now as this will give you a chance to think through what has
worked so far, what hasn’t worked, and what you would change or do
differently.
More importantly, writing them down will allow you to leverage
your creativity and get re-energized and excited about your
goal.
Many of our local readers who are achieving success say that in
addition to writing down their goals, they sent the document to a
friend or family member. This creates an accountability partner and
someone who has cheered them on and picked them up when they needed
it.
The good news is, according to the emails, is that having an
accountability partner has played an important part in their
success.
The other comment that seems to have played a role in the
success of your neighbors is in starting small. Lisa from Highlands
Ranch embraced the concept of near term goals and how we can make
radical changes in minute steps.
Zig Ziglar has shared this simple concept with audiences for
years, but too often we try and tackle a huge goal and set
unrealistic milestones. When we fail to reach these in the first
days or weeks, we abandon our plan and give up.
However, when we carefully think through the goal, understand
what we can achieve near term, and set realistic expectations, we
increase our likelihood of success.
If you are meeting with tremendous success, keep going and
stretch yourself a little more each week. If you are fighting the
good fight, push forward because your goal is getting closer. And
if you have given up, it’s time to get yourself back in the
game.
Write your goals down, post them in a visible location, share
them with a friend or family member, and start small, don’t try and
boil the ocean on day one or in the first week.
Where are you in the pursuit of a goal or dream? Email me at
msnorton@comcast.net and
when you do get back on track it will be a better than good
week.
Michael Norton, a resident of Highlands Ranch, is the former
president of the Zig Ziglar organization and CEO and founder of
www.candogo.com.
