Are you setting yourself up for success?

As a coach, I have a love-hate relationship with new year's - more specifically with new year's resolutions.  Each day I am blessed with the chance to walk along side people who are making great strides to goals that are important to them.  So, as new year's is the traditional time to aspire to find more enjoyment in life - I am inspired.  But more often than not, we do not set ourselves up for success when making new year's resolutions. 

Here are a few thoughts (and references to some great books/authors) that offer some guidance for setting successful new year's resolutions....

1. Set SMART goals - anyone who has done any performance management at work may be rolling their eyes, but yes, it is important.  How can you know that you are successful if you don't know what the end is going to look and feel like?  As Winston Churchill said, "However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results".
2. Set a BHAG - In his book "Good to Great", Jim Collins talk about the value of setting a big, hairy, audacious goals.  More than a single objective or task, envision what you want your life to be, to feel like, to mean.  This new year's resolution should be a step towards that vision.
3. Analyze your path, not a single solution - Aristotle said "We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence then is not an act, but a habit."  I have a similar saying posted in a very large way in my office - it suggests that your thoughts become your words, which become your habits, which become your character which results in your destiny.  We will discuss this more in the weeks to come, but to find success in your resolution, you will need to wake up each morning committed to your dream.
4. Consider your 10-10-10 - In her book of the same name, Suzy Welch provides a simple decision-making model.  With your new year's resolution in mind, think about the impact on your life in 10 minutes, 10 months and 10 years.   The results of this analysis may be a great motivator along your journey.
5. You are already perfect - When making new year's resolutions, we tend to focus on what we aren't, what we don't have and what we've failed to do.  One of my favourite authors - Dr. Henry Cloud, suggests that we go "hard on the issue and soft on the person".  Every single person out there offers value and worth, and can find something in their life to be grateful for.  I encourage you to start from that foundation and when setting a new year's goal to think about how you can positively add to your own life experience.

I hope that you will take a few moments to give thanks for the gifts of 2009 and I wish you the very best in 2010!

Book References:

Jim Collins - "Good to Great:  Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't", more recently:  "How the Mighty Fall"

Suzy Welch - "10-10-10:  A Life Transforming Idea"

Dr. Henry Cloud - "The One-Life Solution" and "9 Things You Simply Must Do to Succeed in Love and Life"