The end of 2017 is fast approaching.
Before we know it, we’ll be inundated with people encouraging us to “make resolutions” and “set goals” and “make next year count.”
None of us want to live a lackluster life, right?
As a leader, none of us want to be broke, or spinning our wheels, or running a struggling business, or exhausted, or mediocre, or unhealthy… right?!?
So why is it that – all too often – we find ourselves in practically the same place we were when we started the beginning of the year?
We had good intentions. We told ourselves this year was going to be different.
More money. Less stress. More clients. Improved marketing. Better health. Less time on social media. More quality time with those we love. Lose those extra pounds. Take that vacation.
And then, “all the sudden” life happens and we’re less than two months away from the end of another year…. In much the same spot.
So why do we do it? Or, maybe a better question – why don’t we do it? Why don’t we change?
Why haven’t you accomplished those things you set out to conquer at the beginning of the year?
I read a quote recently by Angela Duckworth, “Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare.” And it hit me like a ton of bricks. How true.
This is worth reading again… Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare.
Just how rare is endurance? According to research by the University of Scranton, an overwhelming 92 percent of people who set New Year’s goals never actually achieve them.
Wow – Ninety freaking two percent. That is crazy.
So, the good news is… you’re normal.
The bad news is… you’re normal. Just like the other 92% who don’t accomplish what they set out to accomplish.
Here are some of the reasons “normal” people don’t change. Maybe one (or a few) of these sound similar to the voices in your head.
- “It’s too hard.”
- “I don’t know how.”
- “I’m too busy.”
- “I don’t have the strength or energy.”
- “I don’t have the resources (time, money, etc.) that I need.”
So, instead of actually doing something about it, we do these things:
- We read obsessively about how to make change happen.
- We listen to countless podcasts.
- We talk about what we want to change… a lot.
- We find distractions to keep us busy.
- We focus on lesser things that are easier to check off.
- We feel guilty, get depressed, and beat ourselves up.
Sound familiar?
So, as I see it, here is one of the main problems… The pain hasn’t gotten bad enough.
There’s a quote by Henry Cloud that comes to mind often – “We change our behavior when the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of changing.“
When you get to the end of your rope with whatever it is you want to change, only then will things begin to get different. Because, only at that point, will you be done with making excuses.
You will endure the pain of change because you can no longer endure the pain of staying the same.
Whether it’s your business, or your health, or your finances, or your personal development, or your leadership, or your relationship with a significant other. If you’re really done with how things are, only then will things start to get different.
But, that’s not the only problem. Another big problem could be that you just haven’t seen enough small victories.
Momentum takes time. Think about a train. If you’ve ever been on one, you know it takes a long time to get going. BUT… once it reaches its desired speed, it’s momentum will crush whatever is in its path.
Giving up too soon hinders the momentum needed for your success.
We’ve got some clients who have created this momentum this year. They are part of the 8% who got sick of complaining about how they wish it could be. So they committed to change, and it has been truly amazing to watch. Has their year been easy? Heck no. Have they executed perfectly? Of course not. BUT… they are in a completely different place than they were this time last year.
If you’re at that point of being sick and tired of the same old, same old. Keep reading. If you’re not in enough discomfort or frustration yet, no sense reading any further. The rest will truthfully just be a waste of your time.
So… you’re still here. Great. That, to me, means you really do want something different. You’re tired of making excuses and you’re ready to really make change happen.
Here are 7 things to do to get your train moving in the right direction:
- Determine what is important to you. Know that what’s a priority to someone else may not be important to you. So, let yourself off the hook for those things that just aren’t your priorities, but figure out what does really matter to you.
- Purpose in your heart that you’re going to be committed to making change happen… come hell or high water.
- Commit yourself to the grind because, I promise you, there will be days when it will not be easy.
- Create some kind of tangible reminder for yourself. Make it be something you will see every day. Maybe it’s a screensaver, or a bracelet, or a note in your car. Something that will be that little push when you need it.
- Make whatever is important to you a ritual. You wouldn’t miss brushing your teeth in the morning. You wouldn’t miss eating during a day. Whatever you want to change needs to become like those things you just don’t even think about because they are non-negotiables in your day.
- Find small wins. These will be vital to your success. Determine your big goal. Then divide it up into little things that can be accomplished to get you to that goal. And accomplish at least one thing every day towards that goal.
- Invite accountability into your life. Ask for help. If left to yourself, the excuses and justifications will come way too easily.
For the majority of us, positive change in our lives is hard; there is no doubt about it.
But imagine for a minute how life would be different for you if you became part of the 8%.
There’s no question if you can do it. The question is… will you?
We are offering a 21 Day Challenge. It’ll be from Dec. 1-21st and by the end, you’ll have your Marketing Plan in place for 2018. Over the course of 21 days, you will be challenged to set aside just 30 minutes a day to assess where you are, identify what you want to accomplish, plan for change, and begin to execute on that change.
It’s not for everyone, but if you’re one of the ones ready for change, it’s definitely for you.
