Leadership Viewpoint

As we approach the first of the year, people are starting to think about those New Year’s resolutions. You may vaguely recall last year’s; it’s the thing you forgot about in just a couple weeks. Here’s what it takes to turn those resolutions into realities:

1. Write down the goal. For instance, “I will lose weight.”

2. Now critically assess what you’ve written, asking these questions:

a. Is it specific?
b. Is it measurable?
c. Is it achievable?
d. Is it realistic?
e. Is there a target date?

Against these criteria, the goal above does not stand up. It will work harder written as follows:

I will lose 10 pounds by March 1, 2007.

3. We can still improve this further. Research indicates that most of us are more successful if we are moving toward something positive rather than away from something negative. We also prefer immediate gratification to deferred satisfaction. And we always like it all to be about us, personally. Hence, we want to ensure that we write our goals using the three “P’s”:

Positive structure and tone
Personal
Present tense

Based on this, our statement becomes:

On March 1, 2007, my light, fit body weighs a svelte X pounds and I feel wonderful!

4. Of course, we can say this 100 times a day, but if we are simultaneously eating junk food and watching TV, we still won’t achieve our goal. The next step then, is to put together a detailed action plan that might include menus, restaurant guides, exercise schedules, etc. Then we have to actually execute the plan!

5. Finally, we have to plan to deal with the obstacles that will, of course, arise. I recommend that you identify every imaginable obstacle, and plan at least three good solutions for it. For instance, if you know that you will be visiting a relative that always tries to pump you with rich foods; you will need to plan accordingly. Your three potential solutions might include:

- Warn the person ahead of time and make a specific request for something healthy, so they can still dote on you.

- Plan your day’s (or week’s!) calories around a larger meal at this person’s home.

- Defer on this visit until your weight is stabilized at a level that satisfies you.

Wishing you a bright and successful 2007!

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