Ringing in the New Year
Welcome to the waning days of 2017, a time when many of us reflect on the previous year and look forward to the next.
If you’re considering making resolutions for 2018, you’re certainly not alone. According to recent research by Marist, more than 40% of adults in the U.S. are very likely or somewhat likely to make new year’s resolutions.1 While people make resolutions for a variety of reasons, the advent of a new year seems to be a natural inflection point to consider positive changes in both our personal and professional lives.
You've probably heard scores of statistics reporting that the majority of resolutions are broken by February.2 But this doesn’t have to be the case. Here’s what we’ve learned from experts about resolve and change:
1.You are NOT alone in your fight. We all struggle with something.
2. Focus on something significant or meaningful to you/the team/the organization. Make it as personal and specific as possible.
3. Tell everyone.
4. Believe that it can be done.
5. A broken resolution doesn’t have to be the end. It’s OK – even desirable - to acknowledge and reflect on the setback and then try again.
We’ve found that these are pretty good guideposts for not only new year’s resolutions, but also for working on any change that involves deep purpose or value.
From all of us at CCG, best wishes for a peaceful and prosperous 2018!
Sources:
1 Marist Poll/Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, December 18, 2014
2 Journal of Clinical Psychology Vol. 58(4), 397–405 (2002), “Auld Lang Syne: Success Predictors, Change Processes, and Self-Reported Outcomes of New Year’s Resolvers and Nonresolvers” by John C. Norcross, Marci S. Mrykalo, and Matthew D. Blagys at the University of Scranton. http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1002/jclp.1151?r3_referer=wol&tracking_action=preview_click&show_checkout=1