What’s your new year’s resolution?
My friend Melissa tries to read 100 books a year. And every few years she hits her goal.
However, when she falls short, she lets people know that she didn’t reach her goal.
In a way, hitting this goal is meaningless. It is just about reading…not stopping smoking or getting in shape. It is based on being a lifelong learner.
No one is harmed if she doesn’t make it nor is she.
But it is incredibly powerful to see her hold herself accountable to reaching her goal.
At this time of year, you will hear story after story about people falling off of their New Year’s resolutions less than a week into the new year.
Goal setting and resolutions are incredibly powerful for change making.
Do not be dissuaded from trying.
Millions of people set out to make a change in their life when the new year starts.
In order to truly make that change, you have to commit to it. Thus, why we have a goal for the year.
In Katie Milkman’s book, “How to Change” she talks about the power of starting anew.
Whether it’s starting a new year, a new quarter, a new month, a new week or even a new day – when we set out to start anew, it creates a break in our brain.
This break allows us to see clearly what we are trying to accomplish and it energizes us to get going.
Just like a smoker making an active choice to not smoke a cigarette that day – we make an active choice to start anew.
For instance, we started this new company last year with the goal to maintain our client list and flow of revenue.
Good news, not only did we retain our clients but we brought on several new ones.
Not only did we maintain our revenue but we out performed it by nearly 45%.
This year, our goal is to reach more than 10,000 employees with our trainings.
Just like Melissa, our goal is a little outside our reach.
In order for us to reach 10,000 trainees, we are going to have to do a few different things.
And in order for Melissa to read 100 books in a year, she will have to do a few different things.
Small things make up the big things. Rain drops, make oceans.
If we can train 1,000 employees /month…the goal isn’t so outlandish. If we train…250/week. It is even more doable. Melissa has to read about 8 books a month to get there. Or two books a week.
These resolutions and goals challenge us to keep moving and keep improving, setting the bar a little bit higher each time.
Recognize how far you have come and take the next step forward.
Want to learn more about how you can help set meaningful goals for your workplace? Drop me a line here.