Are You A “Resolutionist”?

I wish it were March,” Mark comments to his friend a little too loudly. “What do you mean?” responds Brent. “Well, that’s when there’s no longer a wait for an elliptical machine. In mid-February, March at the latest, all these resolutionists have stopped coming here to the gym.”

The Urban Dictionary defines a resolutionist as:

“A person who joins the gym in early January because of their New Year’s resolution. Resolutionists usually migrate back to the couch any time from mid-January to early March.”

As we enter the second month of 2013, the question of whether or not we are resolutionists ourselves is certainly a fair one. How are you doing on the goals you set for yourself just a few short weeks ago? Are you still getting around to setting them? If you have taken that first huge step, what about the next ones: Writing them down, sharing them with others and reviewing them weekly? The fact is, according to a study from the University of Scranton, those who set written New Year’s resolutions are five times more likely to achieve them than those who say that they don’t do so or just “keep their goals in their head.”

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Here are a few highly effective strategies to help you avoid the resolutionist trap in 2013:

1. Don’t try harder this year, get more connected. The secret isn’t finally mustering up more discipline but surrounding yourself with people who are living the life you want, already. Dan Miller, who hosts the 48 Days podcast, says that we are “the average of our five closest friends.” If thinking about the lives of your closest friends frightens rather than inspires you, it’s time to widen and repopulate your inner circle.

2. Get in a mastermind group. A mastermind group is comprised of 10-12 people who are willing to sacrifice by meeting weekly for 90 minutes to encourage, support and share resources with one another. If it worked for Ben Franklin for 37 years, it will work for you. If you can’t find one, start one. Tips: Make 80% attendance a requirement, meet in the early morning mid-week, and avoid inviting superstars or those who are “drowning,” both can negatively affect the all-important balance of your new group and bring it to a quick, untimely demise.

3. Hold a personal business meeting weekly. Whenever I’ve polled corporate audiences on this question, I am always surprised at just how few leaders sit down with themselves weekly to plan out what they want out of their week, in their personal lives, as well as on the job. Sure, many create daily to-do lists, but this is not the same. If you do not plan out your week, there others who are all-too-happy to do it for you. And, you will not necessarily like what they have “on the menu.”

4. Be willing to seek out a counselor or a life coach for those goals that have eluded you for more than five years. Let’s face it, if we were able to do it on our own we likely would have done it already. Some goals either need to be abandoned as unrealistic or “low priority,” or facilitated by outside help. Either option can be the right one for you this year. Just be clear in your own mind.

5. Read at least one inspiring book per month. There’s no better way to gain the information and wisdom you need to make 2013 far different from 2012. Don’t have time to read? Listen to an audiobook or podcast while you are driving to work or at the gym. Did you know the average American only reads four-six books a year and 40% of us don’t read any at all? Reading a book a month or more can give you a great edge in business and in the rest of your life. Shameless plug: Why not start by reading our book, Fire Your Excuses (Amazon/Barnes & Noble)? Also consider picking up an inexpensive e-book reader to help you. Having your complete library with you at all times makes reading a breeze.

Do you have a great idea we’ve missed for 2013? Write and let us know.

Best wishes,

Dr. Bill