Have you ever made a New Year’s Resolution?  

 Have you ever kept it past April?   

 Most people can relate to making January 1st declarations like losing weight, getting a new job, being a better parent, etc.  But the truth is most people don’t stick to this declaration, even if they really truly desire the outcome.

 Why is it so hard to stick to our resolutions?  Because a stated resolution or goal is just that – a statement without any real substance.  In order to reach a goal or to change anything in your life for an extended period of time, you need to change your daily behaviors or habits.  By changing your habits, you will slowly and continuously move towards your goal until your goal or resolution becomes a part of who you are.

 Changing Your Habits

One of the best books I’ve read about changing habits is Atomic Habits by James Clear.  In his book he talks about how habits are formed and how to start a new habit and get rid of bad habits.  I suggest checking his book out to get more detailed information about Habit Stacking, Habit Tracking, Temptation Bundling and how to make Bad Habits Invisible.

Once you decide which habits are helping you and which habits are holding you back, now you need to make a plan.  A plan to reach your goal usually involves some type of change, which is usually uncomfortable for most people.  Before you decide to jump right in, it helps to figure out what Stage of Change you are currently in. 

 Determining Your Stage of Change

One of the best-known approaches to change is the Stages of Change or Transtheoretical Model, introduced in the late 1970s by researchers James Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente.  According to this model, the Stages of Change are: 

1. Precontemplation:  you’re not considering change at all.
   
   
   2. Contemplation: you are aware of the benefits of making a change, but you’re conflicted about actually doing it.
   3. Preparation: you start gathering information and making plans to start a new habit.
   4. Action: you are doing the work required to make the change.
   5. Maintenance: you are successful at continuing the habits you acquired.   

   Be honest with yourself when you evaluate which Stage of Change you’re in.   Strategies that work to change habits in the Preparation Stage may backfire if you’re actually in the Contemplation Stage.

   Getting the Support of Coach

    Working with a coach can help you figure out what stage you are in and where to go from there. Sometimes that added support can be the difference between success and staying stuck.  

   Sometimes reaching new goals requires us to start new habits or get rid of old habits that aren’t serving us.  

   Are you ready to start changing some habits so you can reach those dreams in 2021? Try this Action Brainstorming worksheet to help create those habits and set-up a free consultation so we can figure your path to success!