It’s January 15th. According to research, approxiomately 80 percent of the population who set a New Year’s Resolution has already admitted defeat. Self improvement is difficult and takes considerable discipline. These 3 keys can assist in attaining a new personal standard, regardless of the time of year or habit to be refined.
1. Choose the Right Challenge
Is the change truly worth the struggle about to be faced? If the change is worth it – where is the bar set for “successful” achievement? We know that a challenge set too low will become stale and boring. We also know that a challenge set too high will lead to frustration and quitting. Be thoughtful.
2. Work the Process
What are the daily actions required to reach the challenge? There are many aspects of life that are outside of one’s control. Working the process means that the individual acts upon a small, daily action that is fully under their own control. Small, daily action becomes significant, monthly action in 30 days.
3. Evaluate (#1 & #2)…and Revise if necessary
On a daily, weekly, and monthly basis - evaluate… (#1) whether the change is still important enough to struggle through & is the bar set at the appropriate level; and (#2) are the controllable, daily process goals being fulfilled to the appropriate level? If yes, continue to embrace the struggle to success. If no, choose whether a revision is more worthwhile than total defeat.
We all have the best intention for self improvement. It’s just a much more complicated process than we care to admit. For more insight on this topic please follow this link to a previous entry on our blog by Dr. Doug Gardner http://prosportpsychsym.wordpress.com/2011/01/04/april-fools-on-new-year%e2%80%99s-day/
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