We are already ten days into the 2016. How are your New Year´s resolutions doing? Are you losing weight? Getting more organized? A new job in sight? Your chances to succeed are low, especially if you are over 50! But there is hope! If you really want to change your behavior, keep reading!
I was naive!
When I started exploring the theme, changing behavior, I thought it was easy. Inspired by NIKE, I would – Just do it! Then, I started reading into psychology and realized that I was terribly naive. I was fooling myself. Do I really change behavior as easily as I believe I do? I am good at getting things done! Telling yourself – Just do it! – can be a good frase to motivate yourself there and then. This is not the same as changing behavior and lifestyle, which is my goal when it comes to an upgraded leadership style!
Why did you wait for New year´s eve?
Research presented on Statisticsbrain.com shows that only 8 % are successful in achieving their resolutions! If you are in your twenties, your chances are the best. The most popular resolutions are:
- Lose weight
- Getting organized
- Spend less, save more
I did not make any resolutions. I do not believe in it. Changes in your life can be done at any time. Seriously, how easy is it to work-out more during winter in Norway? Right now it is freezing and snowing outside! I would rather stay in front of the fire place, instead of get out to exercise in -10, 20 or some places – 30 degrees.
Consultant seeking model!
Being a management consultant, I tend to search for a best practice model. Tools, reasearch and experiences to help me approach my challenge. For this blog post, I decided to collect different advices and add my personal experience. Bits and pieces, I believe must be in place to make a change. My own little model, describing the steps that can help you getting there!
Be patient!
A study, presented in European Journal of Social Psychology by Phillippa Lally shows that it takes 66 days to make a new habit stay. So if you want your new year`s resolutions to make a difference, let´s talk in March 2016!`
I believe you have succeeded, when you have adopted a new standard of life. A behavioral pattern which is automated and do not have to be forced. I do not believe in diets. It can help you short term, but you have to change your way of living in order to make a long term change. Learning new skills involves breaking old habits, maybe overcoming fears and deal with temptations.
A failure can be an important step!
It takes time to change your behavior. If you fail, try again, but do something different. Albert Einstein said that «Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results». Maybe a failure is what you need to succeed?
The good news is that you can start today. 66 day, three months, a year, you can look back and say – Wow, I made it! And I feel great!
Good night and have a great week!
Cecilia 🙂
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Photos of me: Stian Schioldborg, Magenta studios
Inspirations and sources for this blog post: