Did you know that 88% of all New Year’s resolutions fail by February 1st?
Be one of the 12% who succeeds this year! Read on to learn how finding your “why” unlocks the secret to creating lasting change.
Step 1: Know Your “Why”
Your “why” is the key to your success. Your ‘why’ is the powerful, emotional driver behind your goals – it inspires passion and purpose and keeps your motivated where willpower fails.
How to uncover your ‘why’:
- Start by writing down your goal and asking yourself “Why do I want to [make this change]”.
- Then ask yourself “But WHY do I want to [insert answer to above question]”.
- Wash. Rinse. Repeat until you have found your true drive and motivation.
Keep going. Ask yourself ‘why’ of the last question until you get to something that’s compelling enough to motivate you to do what it takes every day to reach your goal. When you get to your true “why” it might look very different from your original goal.
For example, say your goal is “lose 15 pounds”, your first answer to “why” might be “I want to fit into my old clothes.” Then repeat the exercise. Your next answer might be something like “When I fit into my old clothes, I had more energy” and then finally, “I want more energy so that I can have a more fulfilling and enjoyable family life.”
Can you feel the difference now, compared to the first response? See how much emotion and feeling is really behind that original goal? Our strongest motivators are typically states-of-being or emotions like freedom, creativity, joy, and ease.
You might get a compelling answer in four, five, or six questions, and once you’ve got that answer, write it down. You’ll know because you’ll feel it’s your truth.
Need help finding your ‘why’? Download a worksheet that guides you in finding your true motivation:
Step 2: Plan Your “How”
We are all faced with situations that do not support our “why”. Take a minute to plan how you are going to keep your “why” shining brightly when you are are in a situation that is challenging.
Step 3: Keep Your Goal Fresh and In Front of You
To begin to make your goal a reality, post your ‘why’ somewhere where you will see it often – on your bathroom mirror or your nightstand, for example – so you can review every day this year. If you are someone that prefers to use an online calendar, make it a daily recurring invite for you to review your goals.
Step 4: Small Changes Equal Big Results
No matter how many mistakes you make or how slow your progress, know that you are still progressing. Small changes are especially important when it comes to creating a healthy lifestyle because small changes are more likely to become life-long habits.
Step 5: Seek Accountability
The likelihood of getting new habits to stick dramatically increases when you have an accountability partner: a fitness trainer, wellness coach, financial planner, etc. An accountability partner is a person who will help you solidify your goal, verify the steps you need to take, and most importantly, makes sure you stay on track with the plan you’ve co-created.
Putting It All Together
New Year’s resolutions don’t need to happen in January – they can happen at any time of the year. When you clearly define exactly what you want and understand why you want it, you dramatically improve your chances of success in any area of your life.
Wishing you all the best in 2019!
