What do you want to change or achieve in the New Year, 2016?

1st, here are a few fun facts:

• 1 out of every 4 people who has New Year's resolutions quits the first week of January.


• Within the first 30 days, over 40% of those having New Year's resolutions have already given up on them.  


• Based on a number of University studies only about 8-10% of people who have New Year's resolutions actually achieve them by year end. 

So what's really going on?

Here are 5 Problems and 5 Solutions so that you get your resolutions checked off:

1. People make lists that are too long and try to change too many things. The internal motivation is like cotton candy; it doesn't last. All of the initial excitement about how life is going to change so much has left the room. Stick with only 1-3 things that really matter to you.  Simplify and laser focus. Your clarity is your friend. 


2. People don't have a truly compelling enough reason why they want something. You must have a darn good reason for wanting a particular resolution. How will you benefit? The more reasons and benefits to you, the better. Your advantages have to tower over the perception of your own will power. Your deep burning desire for the outcome and hunger for the specific benefits will feed the mindset that's needed. 


3. People aren't outraged enough at their underachievement. It's easy to tell yourself a story and rationalize why you didn't do something. The soft lies are silent killers of your goals and dreams.  Tell yourself the truth. Do you need a hug or a kick in the butt? Now go get one, and get back to working on your resolutions. At this point you realize that excuses won't cut it.  Judge yourself on your effort. Is your effort good enough? Good enough for you? You live with yourself 1st ,last and always.  Do you need to raise your standards for what's acceptable?


4. People are easily distracted by things that keep them in their comfort zone.  It takes  real effort and a commitment to change something in your life.  It won't happen by hoping or wishing for that thing to change. It requires working at it, and on it, consistently day by day, one day at a time until you have it.  That's simply true. Be ready to get to work. How high is your personal commitment to yourself?


5. It's lonely at the top. You will most likely be on your own, since so few people actually achieve their resolutions. And you probably aren't very good at supporting yourself towards your goals and holding yourself accountable. Staying motivated and inspired when obstacles surface isn't always easy.  Find someone to hold you accountable. Most people will do more for someone else than they will for themselves.


6. Bonus Fact- No Plan or Strategy.  How's your resolution going to get achieved? What specifically are you going to need to do? Will it actually work? People haven't really thought through what they need to do based on a hierarchy of importance.  Without an effective plan or strategy very little will happen. 

Now you have a much better understanding of how to make sure that you can achieve your New Year's resolutions. You don't have to go it alone. Get some help. You can always hire someone to hold you accountable and give you some solid strategies. Most people at the top of their game are already doing this. Why not you? 



Jeff Forte CSIC CME, author of The 90-Minute Marriage Miracle, founder of PEAK Results Coaching, is an Executive Coach specializing in marriage resolution and team dynamics. He holds certifications in Strategic Intervention and Marriage Education and is an expert in divorce prevention and urgent conflict resolution. Clients include Fortune 500 Executives, Business Professionals, Attorneys, Surgeons, Professional Athletes, Teams and Couples. He works with clients all over the world via Skype. For more information visit 90MinuteMarriageMiracle.com. Permission granted for use on DrLaura.com.