So here it is January 2010 and if you are like many of us you have already broken your New Year’s resolution. Actually less than 20% of those who make resolutions keep them. And a majority of folks don’t even make them to begin with.
My advice to you, if you have already broken your resolution, is to persist. All of the data shows that those who persist are more likely to succeed. It makes sense but it is amazing how many people just quit when at first they fail. Success is not an event it’s a process.
One of the other keys to success, in any kind of change attempt, is using your right brain. Most attempts at change are left-brained focused. We reason with our left-brain that a change must be made, we make a plan with our left-brain and then our left-brain executes the plan. This management approach to change is, as you can see, left-brain saturated.
The right brain is much more visionary. It sees the big picture of what change will do for you and the right brain is actually capable of creating a visual image of what the change will look like when it is accomplished.
The formula that works best for real, permanent, life-altering change is to envision, with as much detail as possible, the resolution you desire. It helps if you go so far as to write down the vision. Describe the details of what you envision happening. Data suggests that those who take this step of writing out their vision are significantly more likely to succeed in changing.
Once you’ve seen the change with your right brain then you must enlist your left-brain to breakdown the necessary steps for success. Your left-brain is the manager of the project but you must have the architect involved first.
So even though it’s after New Year’s day if you desire a better year in 2010, one that is marked by improvement of yourself and your life situation, then follow these five steps.
1. Envision with as much detail as possible what change you’d like to see.
2. Write down the vision.
3. Breakdown the vision in to the steps required to accomplish the change.
4. Execute!
5. Never, never give up!
Oh, one last thing. Your right brain is relational. Those successful in making change are much more likely to enlist the help of friends and family. Social support is critical in helping us be accountable and in encouraging us to be persistent.
It takes the whole brain to accomplish significant change in our lives. But with the right brain’s power to envision and the left-brain’s ability to manage you can be a new and improved you in 2010.