National Take Charge of Change Week
National Take Charge of Change Week is from July 9 – 15, 2014.
In honor of change, let’s talk about New Year’s Resolutions. What?!? In July??
Yeah, in July.
Each year, millions of Americans make New Year’s Resolutions. They promise themselves – and possibly their family members or colleagues – that they’re going to lose weight, stop smoking, get out of debt, get organized, stop procrastinating …you name it. Fewer than 20% are successful with their New Year’s Resolutions.
Why?
They’re skipping out on the 3rd Stage of Change.
In my book, R.O.A.D. M.A.P. to Get Organized, I discuss the Five Stages of Change. The common pattern I noticed among all of my clients is that they skipped Stage 3 and would fall off again in Stage 5. This caused them to be unsuccessful with their productivity goals, and is the reason why they wound up calling me in.
So, what is this all-important 3rd Stage of Change?
Preparation.
That’s right. You’ve gotta do some thinkin’ and plannin’ if you want to be successful with your change. So, if you didn’t quite accomplish your New Year’s Resolution, consider doing the following:
- Define what it is you want to change.
- State a specific reason why you want to change.
- Give at least one specific benefit you will reap when you are successful with the change.
- Create your motivational mantra to encourage you along the way.
- Schedule time on your calendar to take the necessary steps to be successful with change.
Yup, this does take some time. Could it be a little tedious? Maybe. But in the long run, the time you invest in preparation will pay dividends when you are successful with your change.