Resolutions: Without Actions and Accountability - They're Worthless!

Even though time is linear, we still think about the end of the year like it's the bottom of the time barrel, and in January, we get to jump back on the top again. Looking down on 2023 from the view of that new mental calendar, we may get the urge to reset our lives or habits with those new year's resolutions.

For many, new year's resolutions are as much a part of the holiday cycle as too much food, bad travel experiences, and overpriced gift-giving. The resolutions may include but are not limited to - getting more exercise, saving money, looking for love, breaking off a relationship, looking for a new job, completing some elusive task, or just being a better person.

Resolutions are often general statements of what you want to do or what you'd hope to get done, but they also generally are not accompanied by your "why," "how," and, most importantly, your accountability. In other words, what are you going to do if you cheat yourself.

Knowing your "why" for anything you want to do or stop doing is critical. Why do you want to lose weight? Why do you want to get a new job? Why do you want a new love? Why can’t I stop smoking? Just thinking these are good for you is not enough. Knowing your why helps keep you from doing what most people who have just signed up for new gym memberships will do by March – and that is quit.  

Your resolutions need the "how" as well. What is your plan of action? How are you going to get this thing you want? Having a plan for each resolution helps you break down your goal into smaller, daily, if not hourly, bites that your mind and body can process. For example, a typical health plan may start with working out three times per week for 30-40 mins but should include your dietary changes. Not just knowing what you're cutting out but even knowing when you're going to eat begins a more sustainable process for accomplishing your nutritional goals. This system creates a level of expectation that can help you regulate yourself.

If you are looking for a new job, commit to spending a certain amount of time daily on it. Filling out applications only when you get upset will not likely yield satisfactory results. Instead, commit to completing 5-10 new applications every day or spending an hour a day in the process of making changes and evolving your profile. That could include revamping your resume and LinkedIn, emailing people in your network, or researching companies you like. Whatever you’re doing, stick to the time like it was a business meeting.

As most strong business leaders know, if you want to be more productive, generate more sales, or lead a stronger team, you need to have a plan and you need to execute to make those things happen. But if an executive's personal resolutions or goals are frivolous it's likely these patterns are reflected in their work-life as well.

If it's dating or socializing - the commitment to creating time and executing your plan requires similar efforts. In fact, with any of your resolutions, you must have plans of action and dedication to doing the work needed to get your itemized tasks done. Checking those little boxes consistently, will move you closer to making your larger goals a reality.

But finally, there is also the need for accountability. What happens if you fail to keep up your deal with yourself? If you want to stick with any of your resolutions, you need to include the ramifications of missing your commitments. For example, if you miss an hour for your job search, you could either do two hours the next day or replace a weekend social event with what you were supposed to do and didn't. If you missed your goal to put away a certain amount of money this week, then drop something fun you had planned for the weekend or give up your favorite stream show for two weeks. You will create an internal deterrent to keep you on track.

It would also help if you also had a small network of people with whom you regularly share your goals and plans. If friends in your accountability circle know that you want to find a new job and that you've committed to spending an hour a day looking for opportunities, you're less likely to break your promise to yourself if you know that someone you love is paying attention to your routine.

Daily time commitments, consequences for breaking promises to myself, and an accountability network helped me get into better shape last year, create new business opportunities, and finish my first book, which was on the old resolutions heap for a decade. As a result, I look back on 2022 with one of the best feelings of pride and accomplishment I have experienced in years.

Backing up your 2023 new year's resolutions with planning, actions, and accountability will guarantee that a year from now, you will fulfill more of your goals as opposed to having regrets about things you wish you had done or failed to do. Now get to work.

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