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We’re nearing the end of the third week in January.
This is the point where I notice less people at the gym, because they’re starting to give up on their goals—their New Year’s resolutions.
They’re starting to realize that the goals they set weren’t realistic, they didn’t realize how tough it would be to make the change, or they don’t care enough about losing 15 pounds before bathing suit season to wake up an hour earlier.
This is also the point where I notice people not following through on their business plans. They started out the New Year strong and have tapered off.
I have a few suggestions on how you can deal with this, so you’re not one of those people who end up saying, “How did 2012 go by so fast? There was so much I wanted to do and change, and it didn’t happen.”
1. Don’t give up when you slip.
Making changes isn’t easy. That’s just the truth. So, when you decide that you’re going to work on your business for an hour after dinner at least three nights a week, you might realize that it isn’t as easy as just making that decision. Stuff comes up.
Scientists disagree on how long it takes to form a habit, but it usually takes at least 30 days. Once you’ve done something for a month, it becomes easier to keep doing it, because you start to do it more on autopilot. Before this time, most of us have slip ups. These slip ups determine whose going to make it and who won’t. The people who make big changes learn from their slip ups, they understand that making mistakes along the way is part of the process, and they keep moving forward.
2. Get to know your triggers and plan for them.
We all have triggers that keep us from our goals. I just started learning some new knitting techniques, and I’m really excited about them. I also have some episodes of Grey’s Anatomy sitting in the queue of my Tivo. I love to watch/listen to Grey’s Anatomy and knit. I don’t feel as bad about watching television when I do something else along with it—like knitting.
This is a trigger for me. I could be knitting and watching Grey’s instead of working and writing this post. I have to plan for that trigger. I have a rule about it. I’m not allowed to watch and knit until at least 5:45 pm. My husband usually doesn’t get home from work until 6:30 pm, so that gives me time to watch one episode and knit while fast forwarding through the commercials. I don’t get to do it every day, but having that rule in place keeps me from playing couch potato girl.
3. Tell other people about your goals and the changes you want to make.
Today, I spent an hour talking with Mayi Carles from heartmade. We were catching up, talking about our recent launches, and making plans for 2012. That hour inspired me, gave me new ideas, and will help me hold myself accountable. If I tell someone I’m going to do something, I’m more likely to do it. When I feel inspired because I’m around like-minded people, I’m more likely to stay motivated.
One way you can do this is by joining a community like ARTrepreneur {enrollment closes January 30th}. You’d be surrounded by people who want the same things you want, who are willing to tell you their secrets and failures, and who want to see you succeed. That’s one of the things that I love about it.
