Empowering Women Stay on track with your New Year’s Resolutions By Kathy Garland

If you set goals each year, you know it can be difficult to stay focused. About this time every year, gym attendance drops and people slowly return to their old habits.

What separates those of us who achieve our New Year’s Resolutions and those who don’t? It’s probably different for everyone. However, I have a formula that’s easy to remember that will keep you on track if you apply it in your life.

It’s the STAR formula. Let’s look at each of the parts of the equation.

‘S’ is for Systems. In order to achieve a goal, you must have a system to measure and monitor your progress. Without a way to measure, you won’t know how you are doing. Let’s say you want to lose 10 pounds. Your solution is to go to the gym three times a week. A simple system is to have a paper calendar in a visible place and mark on the calendar each time you go to the gym. Anything you measure will most likely move forward.

To measure sales, use spreadsheets or code your electronic calendar green when you have income-generating appointments.

‘T’ is for Team. Who do you turn to for support for ideas, motivation and resources? Do you need a personal trainer to keep you focused and working to your potential? One of my friends, Donna, is on my team. We go to the gym together and it makes the time go by faster. She also works hard, so it keeps me moving.

For sales, who is your power team that refers you business? Who can you call on when you need additional expertise for a proposal? These are important people to have on your team.

‘A’ is for Accountability. Accountability is telling someone what you want to achieve and asking them to support you and keep you focused. It is also writing down your specific goals so you can refer to them throughout the year. Build in accountability to your goals and notice what a difference it makes. You will be more motivated.

Best bets for accountability – hire a coach, develop a reciprocal buddy system, share your goals with a mentor and meet regularly or talk on the phone with your accountability partner to discuss your progress or where you might be stalled.

‘R’ is for Right Attitude. Finally, you will be much more successful at achieving your New Year’s Resolutions and goals if you have a positive, can-do attitude. You have to know (not just believe) that you can do what you say you are going to do. What’s realistic for you? Eliminate the ‘shoulds’ from your goals and focus on what you really want.

The right attitude is much easier if you take care of your health and well-being and don’t overload yourself with commitments and projects.

If you feel that you are losing your focus and motivation, one thing you can do is go to YouTube and search for videos on reaching goals and give yourself a few minutes of motivation.

You can also call me for a complimentary coaching session on reaching your goals. Contact me through my website at www.kathygarland.com.

Kathy Garland, www.kathygarland.com is a transformational leader who works with women on their brands, developing their business and leadership skills, and creating focus for the future. She resides in McKinney and works with clients both across the U. S. and Canada.