by Donna Toothaker
Hard to believe we’re two weeks into the New Year. How are you keeping up with your business resolutions? For some of us, the resolutions we made a very short time ago are already just a memory, having been “hijacked” by other pressing matters. Others of us are struggling to make good on our intentions, but may have over reached by expecting too much of ourselves too quickly (i.e. I will blog every day…) and we need to find a way to make our resolutions “stick” for the long haul.
Just how do we stay in check with our resolutions, so in 2012, we’re not just picking up the same ones we dropped this year? Here are some suggestions for turning your good intentions into good habits, so by December, you’re miles ahead of where you are now.
1. Chart your path. Write your action steps down, and calendar them to make them a priority. So, if your Monday morning doesn’t usually begin with time carved out to plan for the week, you need to book that time with yourself to make it happen. Book additional time each month to simply check-in with yourself, to re-evaluate your goals and assess what’s working, and what’s not. You might consider carving out time on a Friday afternoon or another “down” time during your week, when you know you have a little breathing room.
2. Take small steps. Don’t let yourself get discouraged by biting off more than you can chew. Marathon runners don’t start out by running 26.2 miles a day. Give yourself a little flexibility and set small weekly goals, at least for the first few weeks, working your way up to your larger goal. So, perhaps it’s not so reasonable to blog every day but finding two to three times a week is comfortable. Start there.
3. Make it a habit. Whatever the scope of your resolution, make a concerted effort to stick with your plan for three solid weeks. Research shows that it takes that long to develop a habit. It may be difficult a t first, but you’ll likely find that after three weeks, your daily action steps just come naturally.
4. Ask for help. You don’t have to do it alone! Consider private or group coaching. Or make a deal with a friend or colleague to help each other stay accountable and prevent backsliding. Check in once a week or once a month and make a pledge to be brutally honest!
Don’t let January go by with no action taken on your 2012 goals. Chart a path, start small, and stick with it, so when the New Year comes around again, you can look back on this year having achieved your goals, and set your sights even higher in 2013 instead of spinning your wheels!
Donna Toothaker is CEO, founder and coach of Step It Up VA Coaching, and the creator of the 6 Steps to 6-Figure VA Success System. These highly sought-after VA coaching programs have been created for established, successful VAs who wish to create the 6-figure business of their dreams. Visithttp://www.stepitupva.com to receive the free report, Top 3 Mistakes to Avoid in Creating a 6-Figure VA Business.
