It is that time of the year again. Everyone is ready with the list of habits and traits we want to improve. Ready to start on the first of January.
But I know a secret.
You will fail at it.
How do I know ? There have been many studies which have confirmed the fact that less than 20% of people go on through with their resolution for more than six months. How do they do it?
I have never been able to keep a new year’s resolution. But I started answering on Quora around two months back and I made a resolution then. I want to answer 100 questions before the end of 2017. And I am on course as of now.
Well making a resolution is easy, sticking to it, not so much. So I started to find what is it that these resolution keepers do. And there are a lot things these people do. But there were a few which were a common to all. I observed that there are three keys these people have which are at the core of their persistence.
What you will also observe that even if these are three different things, they follow each other. Once you have the first one sorted out, you will naturally move to the next. And once you have the first two clear, you will want to start now.
The 3 keys for achieving your resolutions
#1. You have to want it really badly and know why
The most common response to this is, “Of course I want it badly, why else would I want to take the efforts and change.”
That is why I say really badly. As badly as you would want air to live.
But it does not finish here. There are a lot of things I know I want badly, but if you ask me to write it down, I may not be able to do so. This happens because I have not given it a thought.
So wanting anything should not end in your thoughts.
Tell it to yourself. Say it to yourselves loudly. Write it down.
And not just the what, but the why as well. Do not be ashamed if you sound desperate or rude. You do not have to share it with anyone. Be convinced about it 100%. If this is clear to you, I can assure you that no one can stop you from achieving it.
When the why is clear, the how is easy — Jim Rohn
#2. Your wants should be very specific
Even though you decided on what you wanted, it is not enough. You have to be exactly clear about it. In the most detail possible.
You should be able to visualize it. For example if I say
- I want to write on Quora for 3 months
- I want to finish writing a 100 answers by end of 2017
The second one is much easy to visualize. Also you will know when you have finished.
When you can give these specific signals to your unconscious mind, it will start preparing to achieve it. It will prepare yourselves in the background to spend the required efforts. But if you do not give it any specific input the unconscious mind will not be able to help you.
Also if you read carefully, I say that the wants should be specific, not reasonable. I would go ahead and say that they should be a bit unreasonable. Also bigger and more than what you think you can achieve. You should be required to stretch to achieve it.
Remember when you set the bar a bit high, both you conscious and unconscious brain will work extra towards it. It is when you will be working at your maximum potential than you will be able to do more than you ever thought possible.
#3. You should start now
The most important key.
People who are able to keep their resolutions are not the one’s who start on the new years day, they start now.
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now — Chinese proverb
No day is perfect. You will never be ready. You will never be more prepared. Start now.
Also if you have the first two principle sorted out, you will not be willing to delay. You will want to start now. Do not worry if you do not know how to do it. It will become clear. But take the first step right now. I mean really now.
If you are able go through with these 3 keys, I am sure you will be able to stick to your all your resolutions.
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