As we emerge tentatively from the COVID lockdown, you’d be forgiven to be blinking, bleary-eyed into the sunlight and having an overwhelming feeling of ‘new beginnings’.
For many of us, these 12+ weeks have felt hard, long and anxiety filled for a whole host of reasons. Whether due to financial difficulties, a disruption of regular routine or over exposure to the media – lots of us are ready to shake things up as we head outside and find our way towards a ‘new normal’.
Now is the time for us to reassess where we are in terms of our yearly targets, maybe even our New Year’s resolutions and career goals.
Commitment
At a wedding of some friends a couple of years ago, the vicar declared during the ceremony that a ‘marriage is choosing to love someone every day’, and this has stayed true for me ever since.
Saying something once does not make a commitment. Even if it’s standing in a church in front of 150 of your friends and family. No, commitment comes every single day.
If you commit to something, I guarantee you cannot fail. It’s something I’ve been thinking a lot about recently, and working with clients who feel at the end of their tether or that they want to give up. And the word that rises up again and again is COMMITMENT.
Committing to something is considered to have 5 different elements, that are a sure fire way to result in success. Ask yourself the following:
What Have I Invested In This? Time, Money, Space?
To commit to something, first we have to invest in it. Mentally, of course this is simply telling yourself that you WILL complete/state/undertake something. This might then translate into some form of affirmation that you write or say out loud.
Affirmations are simply statements that describe a goal in its already completed state. Affirmations are reminders to your unconscious mind to stay focused on your goals and to come up with solutions to challenges and obstacles that might get in the way.
Mentally investing is a great place to start, but what else? Time, money, space? Have you bought a new pair of running trainers to kick start your couch to 5k routine? Maybe you’ve decided to give up your evening soap opera to spend the time writing your book instead. Or maybe you have emptied your spare bedroom and dedicated a space to become your personal paradise office so that you can stop working at the kitchen table.
Investing physically with these things is a fantastic pairing to affirmations, and you’ll find that the two go hand in hand.
Am I Being Held Accountable?
Do You Have A Check In Or Buddy To Hold You Responsible?
This part is by far the hardest bit of the whole process, because you’ve got to be brave and suck it up and ask for support (I will caveat this by also saying – choose your buddy wisely).
One of the best ways to be accountable to anything is to have someone to keep you on the right track. Accountability partners are great because you get to help each other complete goals. In fact, according to The American Society of Training and Development, you have a 65% greater chance of completing a goal if you commit to someone.
So, don’t keep your goals a secret, let someone in, and you’ll be surprised and how positively this can impact your progress!
Is It SMART?
Goals are drilled into us from a young age now but what we aren’t taught is how to commit to them and make them happen. If you don’t know, SMART is an acronym that you can use to guide your goal setting.
To make sure your goals are clear and reachable, each one should be:
Specific – Your goal should be clear and specific, otherwise you won’t be able to focus your efforts or feel truly motivated to achieve it.
Measurable- It’s important to have measurable goals, so that you can track your progress and stay motivated.
Achievable – Your goal also needs to be realistic and attainable to be successful. In other words, it should stretch your abilities but still remain possible.
Relevant – This step is about ensuring that your goal matters to you, and that it also aligns with other relevant goals.
Time bound – Every goal needs a target date, so that you have a deadline to focus on and something to work toward. This part of the SMART goal criteria helps to prevent everyday tasks from taking priority over your longer-term goals.
Have I Changed My Environment?
Re-evaluate the lie of the land and make sure things are correlated to your new commitment.
Similarly to investing space in number 1, this is all about making the right environment for you to easily commit and succeed. For example – you’ll find it hard to give up chocolate for Lent if you keep those Kitkats in the cupboard. Get rid of them!
In your personal life, if you decide that you need to set some boundaries towards working from home, maybe you need to invest in a work phone to keep calls separate and help you towards a work-life balance? Evaluate your environment and ensure that it is set up to support your goals.
When we pledge at the start of the year to do dry-January, for instance, we commit in just these ways. Investing emotionally in making our health better (chances are you are hungover when doing this so it makes it even more effective), before declaring to all around that you’re not having a drop this month! You may even get sponsors, or sign up to an app. It’s specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time bound – 31 days, no booze.
And you’ve already hidden/thrown out/drank/given away the leftover drinks from Christmas so your environment is ready to help you commit. Every evening. Every meal. You opt for a soft drink. Congratulations – you are committing.
Making Great Things Happen
My passion lies in helping business owners not only identify those goals and big picture dreams, but commit to them day after day. When we are clear on where our authentic brand lies, we can be confident in committing to making great things happen. Getting in touch with our true values unleashes the whole of our being and once we are ALL IN with our whole self, it’s simply inevitable that it will happen!
Bio
Dr Laura Rose Cutress is a business coach and brand specialist, working with small businesses around the globe. She’s the entrepreneur’s cheerleader, voice of reason, sounding board and personal champion, assisting them from start-up to success and celebrating their every move. You can find more of her pep talks and advice over on instagram.
