Goals vs. Resolutions - Part One

We’ve all been there, right?  The clock strikes midnight on 12/31 and we are full of great intentions to eat better, get that promotion at work, get that better job, or make it to the gym more frequently.  Some of us even write our intentions on paper and put them in a capsule … certain what gets documented must get done! 

According to an article published by the Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business in February of 2023, only 9% of Americans who make New Year’s resolutions keep them.  They also report that 23% quit their resolutions within the first week of January and 43% quit by the end of January. 

My question is why?

In my work coaching leaders at different levels in various industries, I’ve observed some trends that impact the odds of achieving what they call “goals” but seem more like resolutions when we dig deeper.  This is the first blog in a three-part series devoted to helping identify the difference between achievable goals and empty resolutions.  By understanding these differences, you will be able to set obtainable goals and provide a path to fulfillment.

Motivation

Most resolutions are made because we feel like we “should” do something.  We “should” exercise more, we “should” lose 20 pounds, we “should” call 10 hot leads a day to hit our sales goals, etc.  But we don’t really take the time to figure out the meaning behind the “should”.  Achievable goals are successful when we understand what meeting them will mean for us. 

In my coaching conversations, I use the “so that” method of figuring out my client’s true motivation.  It goes something like this – the client wants to hit a new monthly sales goal.  I ask why.  He says so he can make more money.  I ask so that..  He says so that he can take his family on a trip to Spain.  I ask so that…  He says so that they can make a family memory before the youngest goes off to college.  The motivation is now clear and can be visualized when meeting that goal gets tough.  It’s not just about achieving the goal itself or making more money.  It’s about taking his family on vacation and making lifelong memories together.  Those are the goals worth fighting for!

Risks

Goals are also worth the effort when you know the risk that you take if you don’t meet them.  Using the example of the client who set more aggressive sales goals to take his family to Spain, the risk of not meeting those goals was disappointing his family who was well into planning their summer travel.  Thinking about avoiding the look on their faces was more than enough motivation to help him stick with the daily action plans we designed. 

Whether you are wired more to chase the carrot or run from the stick, fully understanding both your motivation to achieve your goals and the risks associated with failing will help you stay on track.  Don’t just set goals for the sake of setting them – that sounds like a resolution. 

Reference:  Batts, Richard. (Feb 2, 2023).  Why Most New Year’s Resolutions Fail.  https://fisher.osu.edu/blogs