The Franklin Covey survey reveals the TOP 10 NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS are:-

1.     Get out of debt or save money

2.     Lose weight

3.     Develop a healthy habit (e.g. healthy eating, exercise)

4.     Get organized

5.     Spend more time with family and friends

6.     Develop a new skill or talent

7.     Work less, play more

8.     Work less, play more

9.     Break an unhealthy habit (e.g. smoking, alcohol, overeating)

10.  Change employment

New Years resolutions are quite clichéd.  When people mention them, it’s often in a humorous way.. Almost like people expect them to fail. Why is it that peoples good intentions to make significant changes in their lives don’t actually happen? Recent research shows that while 52% of participants in a resolution study were confident of success with their goals, only 12% actually achieved their goals

As a coach, I work with people to achieve their goals and they do. Although a New Year resolution can be a goal, some things are fundamentally different between the two. Here are five reasons why most New Year resolutions never come to pass. If you do the opposite, it increases your changes of success.

New Year Resolutions Rarely Work – why?

1. New Year resolutions are rarely well thought out. A New Year resolution is often little more than an idea or desire. It has no plan or structure.

Solution: For a goal to be achieved it must also have a well thought out strategy and also a deadline.

2. People don’t actually mean what they say. People feel they ‘should’ make some changes. A ‘should’ is something you feel you ‘should’ do but really don’t want to do. I ‘should’ lose some weight. I ‘should’ save some money. I ‘should’ be more organised. I ‘should’ get that qualification.

Solution: But is it something YOU really want. It needs to be your agenda for change not something you feel obligated to do.

3. Negative expectations cloud New Year resolutions.

Solution: In order for a goal to be achieved you need to be excited and passionate about it. What’s the reward? What’s the benefit?Having a positive mindset and being passionate ensures you remain focused and overcome any obstacles that might get in your way.

4. Right goal but lack of support.

Solution; If coaching more than 700 clients over 13 years has taught me anything, it’s that accountability can contribute up to 80% towards success. Ask anyone who goes to the gym and works out on their own and those who have a personal trainer. The results can be miles apart. Accountability and support are key factors to achieving success in your personal goals.

5. A New Year Resolution is often just a thought and not documented.

Solution: Don’t just think about what you want in 2010; write down your goals and dreams. It works! Believe me.

So the best way to begin the year is not to make any New Year resolutions but create clear, specific, realistic goals that you really want to achieve. Then begin working on well-thought-out strategies to make them happen.

When people ask me ‘What are your New Year resolutions?’ I reply, ‘I don’t have any, just plenty of goals, some of which are underway already.

If you are interested in creating an exceptional 2015 and turning resolutions into successful goals then book a free one hour consultation here.