res·o·lu·tion
A firm decision to do or not to do something.
Synonyms: intention, resolve, decision, intent, aim, plan
Happy New Year from all of us at DonBrown.Org, we hope you rang in the holidays happy and healthy with those who mean the most to you.
This time of year most of us spend time reflecting on the previous 12 months. We consider what went right, what could’ve gone better and optimistically look ahead into the coming year setting hopeful goals.
Many times, the easiest thing to do is set somewhat vague intentions that fade from our minds after a month or so. We approach January positively and in good spirits, but in our efforts to maintain a work / life balance we become distracted, and likely forget what we came into the New Year so confident we would achieve.
How can we combat this?
Think for a moment about the definition of resolution. A firm decision to do or not to do something, an intention, decision, plan. The key to any successful resolution is not in naming the goal you want to accomplish. It is in the strategies you implement for how you will get the job done. Whether your goal is physical; to lose 10 pounds or implement an exercise routine 3x per week, financial; increasing your sales numbers by 10% in 2016; or spiritual; mediating 5 minutes each day – the greatest predictor of your success in any of these areas your plan of action.
Reflect over the last year – what worked? What didn’t? Did you accomplish the goals that you set out to achieve in 2015? What could you have started doing, stopped doing or even continued doing that would have led to greater success last year?
Anytime we set a goal, we must also set a course of action. Naming your goal or resolution is only the first step in a series of three that you must take. The second is to identify your first action related to this goal. The last step and perhaps the most important is to take action.
Take for example the resolution of increasing your sales numbers by 10% in 2016. Which actions can you take this year that will move you toward this goal? Spending more time in the office, 30 minutes a day? Increasing your cold calls, 10 more each week? Asking your most valued customers for a referral, 1 each month?
Another success strategy is to think about ‘When life works’ for you – when your sales numbers were at their highest which actions were you taking regularly? What does your ‘record month’ look like? If we know which behaviors we engage in ‘when life works’ for us, we know which behaviors / habits / actions will lead to success.
What is your resolution for 2016? Do you have it written down in a place you will see it often? If you have not yet taken the time for planning and organizing your thoughts – it’s not too late! Download our Vision & Strategy document here: VISION 2016.
Happy New Year – we wish you a happy, healthy and blessed 2016!
Written by: Kelly Brown, Account Manager DonBrown.Org
