We are now eight days into the New Year 2014. Have you stopped smoking yet? Have you cleared the clothes and dust off the treadmill? If my assumption is correct, I'm going to guess that's a big fat NO! It's true that you still have some time left to get started, but with each passing day motivation to start becomes harder to find and excuses for the status quo become easier to make. However, don't feel too bad about breaking your resolutions, there's actually some science behind it.
Why do resolutions fail? One answer to that question is the "all or nothing rule." Simply put, we think in terms of black and white which means we either keep the rule or we break it. We do so well keeping up with the resolution while we're enjoying the successes but completely let go at the first sign of failure. According to Rajesh Bagchi, Ph.D., assistant professor of marketing at Virginia Tech, "people tend to take a break-- a well earned breather--after achieving a sub-goal." Unfortunately it's rare that we resume our efforts after the break.
The second reason we break our resolutions is because as individuals we lack vision. I'm not talking about eye sight. I'm talking about "the act or power of anticipating that which will, or may, come to be." When our progress stalls our end goal becomes harder to anticipate and disappointment clouds our image to our path of success.
So this year I don't want you to make the same old New Year's resolution, destined to fail. This year you're going to have a New Year's Revolution, quite simply a "sudden, complete or marked change." This is the year to make a difference. Don't just start a diet; instead change your lifestyle. Don't just say you're going save money; call your bank tomorrow and start the 52 week challenge. Easier said than done? Exactly! That's why you can't just say it, this year you're going to make a personal vision statement. What's the difference you ask?
Having a vision statement takes your focus off of the sub-goals and places it on the end goal. If you made a resolution to earn your CPCU designation, you may or may not get around to actually taking the first test. However, you might be more inspired to carry out this monumental task once you know and understand the root of the motivation or desire to accomplish the goal, such as career confidence, the ability to advance at work, or just the prestige.
State Auto Senior Sales Consultant Brian Ahearn, one of only 27 Cialdini Method Certified Trainers, states:
"I often tell people one of the most impacting books
I've read is Steven Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. The reason I say that is because I took Covey's
suggestion and wrote a personal mission statement. For more than 20 years now
I've reviewed parts of my mission statement daily as a way to remind myself of
who I am, who I'm trying to become, and what's most important in my life. As I
look back on life it's apparent my mission statement has impacted my thinking,
choices and behavior in very positive ways."
Remember, your vision statement is the picture of yourself that you see in the future. It's who you're working to become. This picture is only bound by what constraints you place on it. For example, here is an excerpt of my own personal vision statement:
"I am a salesman. At all times I will know my product, my company and
my customer. I will continually learn from those with more experience and
share my knowledge with those I can teach. Ethically and humbly I will
strive to offer my services at the highest standard of excellence."
Take my lead, challenge yourself to create your own vision statement. Write it on a note card, sign it in ink, and keep it handy so you can look at it every Monday morning. When you create and buy-in to a vision statement for yourself, you will begin to develop the framework to reach your goals.
For more information on creating and keeping a vision statement visit http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_90.htm.
