The important thing is (1) that you do make the decision to make the positive change, and (2) that you can stick with it once you've started.
Persisting and seeing it through is often the most challenging part, but also the key to success. Even if the change is very small, making it last will multiply its value over time.
Loads of advice
Here are a small selection of excellent articles on how to set and stick with your new goals, routines, New Year's resolutions, or whatever it is you're trying to change:
A. Lifehacker - "This Year, I will"...
This is an excellent article that I strongly recommend reading.
Lifehacker made it onto TIME's list of top blogs for 2009 and with loads of articles as useful as this on a range of topics you can see why.
The key recommendations Lifehacker pulls out are:
- Think progress, not perfection
- Set up a scheduled review
- Conquer huge backlogs with a DMZ or half-life approach
- Make it into a geeky game
- Utilize public shame
- Use a timer
- Pick only one actual resolution
- Create a reminder network
- Distract yourself at the moment of temptation
- Roll 12 habits into one resolution
It's possible that the priority of these could change from person-to-person, but it's a good list. Do have a read of the main article, as it includes commentary on each.
Interesting that there isn't anything specific on setting direction: I guess this assumes you already know the direction and is all about how to stick at the actions needed to get there.
B. Web Worker Daily - "For the New Year: A Success Toolkit"
Another New Year Resolution-focussed article, this one covers:
- Attention to small steps
- Discipline
- Having a destination in mind
- Constantly switching from big picture to small picture
- Support
- Leaving behind limiting beliefs
- Encompassing valued traits
- Appreciation
Some similar themes, although I think I actually like this list slightly more than the Lifehacker one.
Both #1's ("Attention to small steps" and "Think progress, not perfection") are related, and I do think this is key to achieving real change: long-term goals are important for setting direction (see point #3 above), but it's the smaller changes that are easier to see progress, easier to stick to and often most surprisingly effective. These are then supported by
For more on discipline and commitment, also take a look at the following article on the Small Business Branding blog: http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/1789/will-you-harness-these-two-important-aspects-of-success-this-year/
C. Adam Khoo - "Achieve Your Goals & Change Your Life in 2010"
This article looks at the common stumbling blocks and how to overcome them:
- Reason #1 Vague, Unspecific Goals;
Solution: Get Clear on What You Want - Reason #2: Lack of Consistent Focus;
Solution: Focus on What You Want Daily - Reason #3: Interest But Not a Commitment;
Solution: Make a Public Commitment - Reason #4: Lack of Personal Power;
Solution: Take Charge of Your Mind and Take Action
#1 - Getting Clear On What You Want - is a very common "starting point": how can you make progress if you don't know where you're going? Of course, you could just pick up some "standard" goals and direction to get you started whilst you're working out your real destination, but I agree that having a clear view on the end game is important. This is the same as #3 in Web Daily Worker's list.
#2 Focus on What you Want Daily - appears to be one of the most important ones to me. #2 on Lifehacker's list - the scheduled review - links to Benjamin Franklin's approach (http://www.flamebright.com/PTPages/Benjamin.asp), and is an approach that Og Mandino advocates in his books. It's also something I am doing with my "daily rubbish" and "daily reflection" posts: "Big Plans, Small Actions, Lots on the Way..." to read more about the overall routine, and "Daily Reflection Template" for more on the daily reflection.
#3 is all about getting others to hold you to account, which supports Lifehacker's #5 (Use Public Shame) and Web Daily Worker's #5 (Support).
#4 is more about personal beliefs and values, taking charge and taking action, which links to Daily Web Worker's #6 and #7.
D. A few more great blog lists
Finally, here are a few more lists of "best of" blog posts that will help support in all of the areas explored by the posts above.
- D-1: Lyved posts that will help your 2010 resolutions:
http://www.lyved.com/misc/lyved-posts-that-will-help-your-2010-resolutions/ - D-2: Essential Zen Habits of 2009:
http://zenhabits.net/2009/12/essential-2009/#more-5216 - D-3: Steve Pavlina's personal development articles archive:
http://www.stevepavlina.com/articles/ - D-3: PluginID 5 Lessons I Won't Forget from 2009:
http://www.pluginid.com/lessons-from-2009/
What are you doing to stick to your resolutions today?
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