Building Momentum for Change

It’s easy to get caught up in making ambitious New Year’s resolutions for a better you in the year ahead. Yet 80% of people fail to accomplish their New Year’s resolutions by the end of January. What goes wrong?

For sustainable change, start small.

Creating life-changing New Year’s resolutions may feel exciting on December 31^st, but it can quickly feel overwhelming in the days that follow. Instead, consider that all goals start with one step – a simple action that you can start immediately, a step in the direction of your goal.

“The journey of 1000 miles begins with one step.” – Lao Tzu

While keeping your ambitious goal in mind, try this for your New Year’s resolution: instead of making your goal your resolution, make the first step towards your goal your resolution.

Go slow and keep going.

With the big picture of your goal in mind, what step can you do today to point you in the direction of your goal? Do that step. Any time you feel overwhelmed by your goal, focus instead on a single step that you can do to help make your goal a reality. As you accomplish each step, move on to the next step. You’ll spend less time feeling discouraged and more time building confidence as you move closer to your goal.

Make momentum for change your New Year’s resolution.

Resolving to take steps towards your goal builds momentum. Momentum for change is a powerful ally to have with you on your journey of transformation. Momentum gives you the desire to keep going when you feel like giving up. After you’ve accomplished one step, momentum motivates you to think of what you can do next to help you realize your goal.

What first step will you resolve to do in the New Year?

Image by Cronislaw (iStock)