"New Year's Resolutions" -- for The Barefoot Executive
BEE Ann Vertel, The Vertel Group
It has been several weeks since the beginning of the New Year. You may have made firm declarations to either start or stop doing something this year. And you may already be struggling to keep them going.
When you look up the word resolution in the dictionary, it says, "firmness of resolve." The definition of the word "resolve" is, "fixity of purpose: resoluteness." And the word "resolute" is defined as "marked by firm determination."
Essentially, that means intent. A firm desire. When you resolve to change your behavior, it's likely that you are very serious and very motivated. Your intentions are good. You have a true and honest desire to change. And you are determined to change.
I don't believe in New Year's resolutions, at least not ones that are simply declarations of an intended behavior chance. It has nothing to do with a lack of desire, motivation, or the belief in the value of change. And yes, I do believe that you can choose to change your behavior anytime you decide to do so.
But any resolution -- any firm desire -- must be backed up with action and that action must be supported by a new structure that promotes the action.
As an Executive Coach, I have the opportunity to work with many different people. Most of them hire me as part of a new system they are putting into place to create real change. Often they have tried over and over to achieve a significant goal on their own, and have come to realize that no matter how much they resolve to change, they need a tangible support structure that will get them into action and moving toward their goal. Coaching, and the accountability it offers, is one such structure. Power Teams, a weekly "check in" call with a colleague, a fully fleshed out calendar for the month ahead, and often just a change in current structure that promotes the new action can also do the trick.
The structures and systems you currently have in place support where you are now. Once you figure out your goal put a structure or system into place that supports where you want to be, even if you don't currently need it. That way, you'll grow into it.
Let's say you routinely produce around $3,000 a month. You decided that starting in January, you would do $5,000. You're so motivated to pump up your profits you can taste it. My coaching questions to you would be:
What are you doing differently?
What structures and systems will you need to support $5,000?
What action step will you take today to put those structures in place this week?
What do you need to let go of?
If you were on top of your game, what would you be doing today?
It is not enough to just want to change your behavior - support your resolution with a structure built on action.
Ann Vertel, Success Coach
http://www.MondayMillions.com
Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs
To Take Bold Action! Website:The Vertel Group Website
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