We recently talked about 20 New Year’s Resolutions that you should be setting to improve your business in 2020. But if you’re like 80 percent of those who set New Year’s Resolutions, your big goals for the year will probably be slipping by February.
So, how do you implement lasting change in your personal and professional life? Just because most people aren’t sticking to New Year’s resolutions doesn’t mean that all hope is lost! You have the chance to make positive changes this year–here’s how.
Choose Carefully
This may go without saying, but sticking to your New Year’s resolutions starts with choosing your goals carefully. After all, if you resolve to lose weight, make more money, eat better, spend more time with your family, and spend less money, chances are, you won’t accomplish any of these things.
Therefore, you should choose just one or two goals to achieve in 2020, and focus your attention accordingly.
Make It Tangible
In this same way, sticking to New Year’s resolutions requires making your goals tangible. Telling yourself something vague, like “I want to be more successful in my business this year,” won’t get you anywhere.
Instead, set concrete goals, such as, “I will grow my loan volume by 10% this year.” Or, “I will cultivate three new realtor referral partner relationships.” By setting tangible, trackable goals, you’ll be equipped to actually reach your goals.
Declare It
Once you’ve determined what your specific, trackable goal is, it’s time to bring it to reality. Start by writing down your goal in an obvious place (or places) where you’ll be able to see it throughout the day. Maybe you write it on Post-Its for your desk, car, and mirror at home, so that you are reminded at various times every day.
Next, tell someone you trust. Whether that’s a close friend, colleague, or partner, telling someone else will help hold you accountable to your goals. If anything, your ego will kick in the second you tell someone your goal and push you to look like a superstar in accomplishing it. However, you can also ask your friend to check in with you for added accountability.
Write Out a Game Plan
Okay, so you have a goal. But, do you have a roadmap for getting there? If you New Year’s resolution is to grow your loan volume by 10% in 2020, work backward. How many additional loans is 10% of your volume? On average, how many loan applications are required to close that many loans? How will you earn that new, higher number of loan applications?
By thinking up specific small steps that will take you to your larger goal, sticking to your New Year’s resolutions will come much more easily.
Don’t Wait for Monday
Whether you’re just getting started, or trying to get back on track, it’s important to not wait. The “I’ll start on Monday,” mindset will damage your ability to reach your goal. Instead, start right here, right now. What do you need to do in order to be one step closer to your goal right now? Not tomorrow morning, and definitely not Monday?
A huge part of this new adjusted mindset is not giving up at the first sign of challenge. There’s a reason that they’re called resolutions: they require resolve. You need to be willing to struggle, fail, and get back to your plan. Life changes don’t come immediately, and they normally don’t come easily. On average, it takes about two months to form a new habit, so don’t be discouraged if it feels like an uphill battle. But, keep this in mind so you can stick it out.
Adjust Accordingly
Once you’re a few weeks or months into 2020, it may be time to adjust your resolutions. This is because sticking to New Year’s resolutions isn’t a static activity. For example, if your goal was to workout 30 minutes a day, four times a week, and you’ve been averaging three times a week, don’t worry! Simply adjust your goals, and celebrate the ways that you have succeeded. This is a huge accomplishment, and your initial goal shouldn’t take away from what you have done.
Bottom Line
Sticking to New Year’s resolutions is a challenge. But there are steps one can take to increase the chance of success. If you want some ideas for resolutions you can make in 2020, check out our post on the 20 Resolutions You Should Make in 2020.
