Successful professionals don’t need New Year’s resolutions. Setting goals for the new year is trendy, but it doesn’t build healthy, sustainable business habits.
Consider this:
- 40% of Americans make New Year’s Resolutions.
- 92% never achieve success with those resolutions.
In other words, only 8% of resolution-setters achieve their goals.
Now, you can reach your professional targets in 2018 without falling victim to the dangers of New Year’s resolutions. What does it take? Smart planning and long-term vision.
It’s a Flawed Premise
Each year, January 1 marks the day Americans collectively vow to lose weight and eat healthier. Similarly, business professionals aim to learn new skills, hit record sales, and increase their return on investment. Two weeks later, the momentum wanes. Targets are missed and New Year’s resolutions are abandoned. It doesn’t take long to become part of the 92% who never achieve their goals. Here’s why:
1. New Year’s resolutions are all about emotion. In business, hiccups are inevitable, and plans based entirely on passion or emotion (and without thoughtful preparation) won’t stand the test of time. Unsurprisingly, New Year’s resolutions set you up for failure. When an obstacle arises, the passionately adopted “resolution plan” typically can’t sustain the change. Momentum is lost and these goals become low priority. However, healthy business growth requires a well-crafted, shared, long-term vision.
2. New Year’s resolutions lack steady momentum. They are made with a short-term vision in mind. You sprint to achieve the goal, then lack the energy or resources to continue the pace. Every bit of excitement, conversation, self-control, and motivation happens in the first few weeks. After that, it’s anyone’s guess.
3. Your resolution might not even be the right strategy. When you meet your goal, what happens next? Or more commonly, what happens when you don’t make your goal? Focusing solely on resolutions leaves holes in business plans and blind spots in leadership. In other words, New Year’s resolutions support an incomplete business plan.
Achieve success in 2018 with a sustainable, long-term strategy.
Don’t set yourself up for failure this year. Instead, implement a sustainable, long-term strategy. Make year-end goals that support and accomplish your business’s vision. Throughout the year, set smaller SMART goals that bring your team one step closer to achieving success. SMART goals are:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Relevant
- Time-based
Keep these goals simple yet specific. Make them tangible and attainable. Form them around your company’s vision. Then set deadlines to see your success and progress towards it.
We’d love to hear about your company’s SMART goals or help you establish a long-term strategy. Reach out to start the conversation.
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