I know how it starts. You set goals with great intentions. You create New Year’s Resolutions and hope that this year will be different.
But, let’s be honest - somewhere between January 1st and... well, today, you've run out of time.
Often, those goals you set, those resolutions, those wonderful intentions fail. They don’t come to fruition.
It's ok. It’s not just you. It’s why a lot of people just plain give up on setting goals and new year’s resolutions.
But, giving up isn’t the answer.
If you're reading this, you're probably not one to bow out when the go-ing gets tough. Or when you might have “failed” at something.
Nope. Now’s the time to work a little harder. The time to work a lot smarter.
Here’s why you haven’t yet achieved goals you’ve set for yourself… and what to do about it.
1) Your goals don’t matter to you.
Sometimes we set goals because everyone else is doing it. Or we set goals we think we “should” be setting. Are you sure you really want that promotion? Or do you want a job where you feel valued and appreciated? Is a house and white-picket fence really how you want to spend your money? Or would you be happier starting a business and traveling the world?
What do to about it: Scratch the goals that don’t matter. With less than two months left in the year, get realistic about what you can do in about 6 weeks. Unless you seriously plan on working like a madperson over Christmas. Then you’re allowed 7 weeks.
To rock 2017: Start reflecting on what you really, really want in your life. Create a list today. What’s important to you? What would you want in your life if you could have anything (because you can!)?
2) You haven’t prioritized.
I hate to sound like your mom (or mine) but life IS all about choices. To say “yes” to something new, you have to say “no” to something else.
What to do about it: Decide what you will say “no” to in order to be able to say “hell yes” to the things that really matter (aka: your resolutions). Maybe you need to say “no”to your 45 minutes morning Facebook scroll (something I certainly had to say no to). Maybe you need to say “no” to volunteering to organize the Christmas Party for a third year in a row.
To rock 2017: Practice saying “no” this week. Think about the big parts of your life that take a lot of time and energy and don’t give you the joy and happiness you deserve. Before committing to anything in 2017, ask yourself if it gets you closer to your goals. If not, hold out on committing until you’re sure you have the time to crush your goals first.
3) You’re failing to plan, therefore planning to fail.
Here’s the thing – if you don’t plan to make the time, it won’t happen. Life has this funny way of happening to us if we aren’t protective about our time. We need to be proactive to keep little time-sucks from creeping in. I know you don’t want June to sneak up on you, and make you quit your goals until 2018. Don't worry: Plan and that won’t be you!
What to do about it: Start by envisioning where you want to be by the end of your goals. In this case, the date will be December 31st. Now, work your way backwards.Where will you be on December 24th to meet your December 31st goal? (Hopefully eating, drinking and being merry no matter who or where you are!). What are you doing by December 14th to make your goal come true? What's happened by December 1st so you crush your goals?
To rock 2017: Now that you’ve started saying “no”, start blocking out time in your calendar for next year’s goals. Literally. Create blocks of time in your calendar or day-planner for goal-crushing. Depending on your goals, you’ll need anywhere from 2-4 hours a week, to 10+. If you put it in now, it’ll be a lot easier to continue prioritizing your goals through the year.
4) You haven’t changed your mindsets. Or habits.
You have to believe you can change. Your mindset has to know it's possible (hint: if it's possible in the world, it's possible for you). On top of mindset, you have to be willing to change your habits. Whether it's implementing a habit of exercising regularly, or a habit of saving a percentage of your paycheque before Friday night hits, our habits are what make or break us.
What to do about it: Identify any mindsets and standards that are holding you back. Do you believe you are a smoker? Do you believe you aren’t a runner? Isyour standard always just “paying your bills”? Guess what – you live and become who you believe you are. It’s time to change your mindset about who you are and raise your standard of what you’re willing to accept in your life. Whether it’s a phrase you say to yourself in the mirror every morning, a mantra you record for yourself, or a sign you put up in your office – change your mindset and you will change your life.
To rock 2017: Make a change this week. Don’t wait until the new year. By starting with a small step today, you’ll be in a much better position by January 1st. As Jim Rohn says, “you cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight.” Choose salad for lunch twice this week. Start researchingstarting your business this week. Go to sleep 15 minutes earlier. Start cultivating the habits for success today.
5) You don’t have the support and accountability you need.
We are social beings. We do best when we have others around us. To be successful, it’s best to have people to achieve our goals with AND those to keep us accountable. You’re about 5% likely to do something if you tell yourself you will. By telling someone else, you’re about 80% likely. That’s a MASSIVE difference – the kind of difference that can work powerfully FOR you if you use an accountability partner.
What to do about it: Find an accountability partner. Stat. Whether it’s a friend, partner, mentor, coach, or boss, you need someone to share your goals and progress with. For me, I email my partner every Monday morning with my objectives for the week. If you’re super ambitious, I know some partnerships connect every day – once at 8am and once at 3pm to ensure they stay on track. Find something that works for you.
To rock 2017: Join a group that fits with your goals. Find a community and/or support network to achieve your goals together. Look for meet-ups, put together a group of friends, or join my amazing GoalDen Girls Group Program.
Do any of these mistakes sound familiar to you?
Did you nod your head as you read these?
Ya. I thought so.
This is just the beginning. I'm so excited to announce a BRAND NEW program for you. If you're serious about making 2017 your year (and I think you are!), GoalDen Girls is THE program for you!
In this 4-month program, you'll go from being frustrated and underachieving, to soaring with all your goals! Along with me, and a group of inspiring, driven women, you'll work to CRUSH your goals and create the life you want.
The GoalDen Girls Group Program is like goal-setting for dummies (except you're pretty freakin' brilliant, if I do say so myself).
In 4-months, we'll connect through 9 Live Group Calls, 9 Modules and Workbooks, and an amazing Facebook community of GoalDen Girls. You'll get all the tools, tips, tricks, and resources you need to be successful with your goals.
You know support and accountability are critical - and that's what you'll get!
This program is for you if you are:
- A modern, ambitious woman (or man!) ready to make 2017 your year.
- Interested in creating a community to support each other.
- Someone who’s ever woken up in June wondering where the year has gone(and wished you'd done more!)
- Ready to put in the work to make your resolutions come true!
If this is you, you're a DREAM GoalDen Girl and I'd love to have you join our GoalDen Girls Group Program.
I know how hard it is to make a change. In fact, our brains trick us into holding back before we make a big change (check out my video on "The Big Freeze" here).
To support and reward the brave, the first 6 people who sign up will get a FREE one-on-one coaching session with me ($200+ value).
If you're a go(al)-getter who's looking for some extra motivation and support, I've also created a VIP Program that includes all the amazing GoalDen Girl Program benefits AND:
- 3 private, one hour, one-on-one coaching calls for you to use through our program. This is your chance to get exactly extra clear on what you want and need. Together, we get deep on you and move you forward with your dream life.
- A bonus, surprise gift from me to jump-start your success
- Extra VIP-only group coaching call at the 6-month mark to keep you on track
- Direct email access to me through the program (normally reserved for my one-on-one clients only!)
- The option to add on additional coaching sessions a la carte (something I’ve never offered before!)
I have to be honest. Just thinking about this incredible group of women we're going to create to support each other gets me so inspired! If you feel the same, then I know GoalDen Girls is for you!
GoalDen Girl/Guy - I'm sure we’ll accomplish a lot of amazing things together.
I can't wait to see what you create in the world - and for yourself.
Go get what you want, what you really, really want!
---- Lisa
Success Coach & Speaker
PS. Don't forget, the first 6 people to sign up get a FREE one-on-one coaching session with me (valued at over $200!). If you're waiting for something different to kick-start your goal-setting, this is it. GoalDen Girls is going to make sure you keep that "I-just-set-new-years-resolutions" energy up so you can make 2017 your year!