Most people don’t get the New Year’s resolution. To be successful, choose one word of the year

If you’re one of those rare people who really gets your New Year’s resolution every year, congratulations. Seriously, you’re weird. According to U.S. News & World Report, the failure rate for New Year’s resolutions is said to be 80 percent, and most lose their resolution in mid-February. If this is true, it is clear that nothing is happening to us; the problem is in the tradition itself.

You will find psychologists and research companies online that cite any number of questions to explain this massive 80% failure rate. Anything from lack of clarity to setting expectations too high. I agree, but I think there are more things than that.

One problem is the psychology behind the word itself. Resolution. It is a strong and demanding word. Scream, I have to do it! It is a demand we face and there is no room for failure. Still, failure is virtually inevitable. Most of us just don’t respond to that word, and when we don’t, we feel disappointed in ourselves, even embarrassed. Why, oh why, would anyone do this to themselves?

Have you ever started the new year by deciding to do something you’ve never been successful in or haven’t done since a big life change? Ask yourself if your New Year’s resolution matches who you are, as well as where you are in life. Wondering to be more disciplined about your business by getting a list of things you’ve never done before? Bad approach. It probably has nothing to do with lack of discipline, but more thoroughly. Maybe you lack passion, clarity or inspiration. This is where you need to focus.

This is what I have been doing for years and it works. I am in good company with Melinda Gates and many others who practice this much more effective and gentle method of creating positive change.

I identify one word of the year. Yes, a single word that reminds me how I can fully support myself to create a positive life change and achieve my most important goals. One word of the year can also identify something you need or want to equip yourself to move on to the next level of success.

Four years ago, I was stuck in a business model that no longer worked for me. (Yes, even coaches get stuck!) I had a hard time finding the answers, even though I knew that fighting something never works. My mind needed to relax to allow me to be given the answers; the tension created by my mental struggle drove these responses aside.

In a word, what I needed was clarity. There are many ways to define most words and my definition of clarity meant that I would relax and trust that the answers would come. That I would soon be absolutely clear about my next steps.

I wrote the word on heart-shaped sticky notes and put it everywhere. He repeated it like a mantra many times a day. And, more effectively, I created a small statement (which could be called a sentence or an intention) that I read aloud twice a day, before bed and when I woke up.

Three weeks later I woke up with the answer. As the solutions occurred to me, I knew, in absolute faith, that these changes would work. Within a few days I had made adjustments to my business model and they started working almost immediately.

Melinda Gates chose the word grace for the second year in a row. “What I like about grace, at least in the way I define it, is that by pulling ourselves and into a higher plane, it makes us more open to the world, to new experiences, to each other. “, he wrote. on LinkedIn. “It creates connections and fosters empathy,” he said.

Determine your realistic goals.

Think about the things you would like to achieve this year. Be realistic and be kind to yourself; don’t tempt failure by charging yourself with unrealistic expectations.

Identify what will inspire and help you.

Now think about who you need to be to feel inspired and develop the character to achieve these things. What mentality will help you move forward? For me, clarity meant I needed to put concern aside, even if it was my mind, and trust that the answers would be right in front of me and emerge at the right time. In 2016 Melinda Gates chose the word gentle. It served as a reminder to go away easily, fight perfectionism, and encourage others around you to do the same.

What word picks up what you want and who and how you have to be to get it? What is one word that describes the mindset that best supports your overall goals? What word can inspire you to be your best self? Because, when you are your best self, you will achieve your goals.

This year I’m creating a piece of art to hang in my office, which visually reflects my word of the year. What creative means can you use to keep your word at the forefront of your mind throughout the year?

Define what your word means to you. A simple word can capture unlimited inspiration and many meaningful feelings. Your definition will go far beyond what the dictionary can tell you.

Use your word as a mantra.

Whether you create a statement, prayer, statement, or whatever works for you, use your word as a mantra throughout the day. See it in the eyes of your mind creating a mental image that captures its meaning.

Sharing your word could serve a purpose. For some, posting it on social media, #wordoftheyear, is like a proclamation of expected success. Sharing your word with your partner or best friends can give them a chance to help you in some way.

Let go of the resolution mentality.

The word process of the year wants to be smooth, but you won’t confuse gentle with weak. From my personal experience, as well as from many of my clients and social connections, this is a powerful practice. It’s much more effective to gently focus on a word like “health” than ordering yourself to go to the gym. As you get inspired towards good health, you are likely to find a way to achieve this. Make sure your word sounds good, non-demanding, and demanding.