“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu
The beginning of a new year often signals a chance for a fresh start, an opportunity to pursue more significant goals. The question arises: will you seize this chance to embark on a new journey toward bigger and better things? Surprisingly, many individuals do not.
According to various surveys, only a minority of people express an intent to make New Year’s resolutions, with reasons ranging from the perceived enormity of goals to a belief that resolutions lack effectiveness.
Reviewing common resolutions for the year, such as improving mental health, fitness, losing weight, enhancing diet, and managing finances, reveals ambitious objectives that may seem challenging to achieve through minor habit adjustments.
Entrepreneurs, innovators, and change leaders understand the concept of thinking big and starting small.
Here’s how you can apply this principle to your new year and conquer that daunting resolution:
- Define the desired changes in your life. Envision the circumstances when this change occurs, the emotions involved, and how the experience differs from the present.
- Contrast this vision with your current life. Identify factors contributing to the gap and focus on aspects within your control.
- Determine what small steps you can take this month. For instance, adjusting your work hours to spend more time with family or treating children’s events with the same importance as client meetings.
- Evaluate what is working for you and what isn’t. Adjust your approach or seek inspiration from others with similar goals.
- Repeat the process monthly to achieve your goals. Build on the changes made each month and continually reassess your progress.
When faced with seemingly audacious goals, our brains often find reasons to delay. Procrastination, perfectionism, and the fear of failure can hinder our progress. Instead of adhering to annual resolutions, consider embracing monthly resolutions that progressively build upon each other. By committing to and layering changes month by month, you can witness significant progress.
