Resolution #1: No More Resolutions!

It’s January 3^rd, do you know where your resolutions are…?

If you’re like most of the world, you either:

1. Didn’t make any.
2. Have already broken them.
3. Will break them soon.

Why not try a different approach this year? Why not try building habits instead of making resolutions?

I started writing a blog post on this topic, but then, while researching the article, I came across an awesome post from Leo Babauta at ZenHabits.net which explains it quite well.

Rather than reinventing the wheel, I figure, hey, why not just link to it? (my comments below):

The Definitive Guide to Sticking to Your New Year’s Resolutions

This is absolutely the method I plan to employ for 2011.

Habit Building is the Key

If you make a resolution or set a goal, you may very well achieve what you set out to achieve. However, if you haven’t built a habit, then as soon as you achieve your goal you will go right back to where you started (if you’ve ever lost weight on a diet only to gain it back, you know what I’m talking about).

I learned this lesson from my study of improv comedy. Great improvisers aren’t the ones who just learn all the skills; they are the people who learn the skills so well that they become automatic. When they are able to do that, not only do they get better at improv, but improv comedy actually becomes easy.

In the same way, if you build habits instead of chasing goals, not only will you be more successful, but your success will come much easier.

Seems like a no brainer to me…

How Do I Pick a Habit?

Two suggestions:

1) Start with a goal

Yes, I know I said habits are better than goals, but that doesn’t mean that goals are bad. It just means that after you set your goal, don’t just stop. Rather, ask yourself, “what habit will help me not only achieve that goal now, but also will help me continue to generate great results in the future?” Then work on building those habits. The goals will happen naturally.

2) Pick a habit you know you need

You may not have a big goal, but just know there is a new habit you need to develop, like waking up earlier, flossing your teeth, or exercising regularly. Go ahead and stat with that one.

Frankly, I like method 1 because it gives motivation. If you know why you are building the habit, you will have an easier time maintaining the self-discipline to stick with it.

If you naturally find yourself using method #2, just ask yourself, “Why do I want to build this habit?” You’ll either get to a deeper meaning, or realize that you don’t really care about the habit.

My Habits

I have my six habits ready to go. Since Leo says to make them public, and since it may be beneficial to you to see what I am up to, here they are:

1. Maximize My AM Productivity – Write 1,000 words of fiction, 2,000 words of non-fiction, and do 3 high value marketing activities everday before checking email or visiting any of my standard “procrastinating” websites (sadly, this has historically been a big problem for me…).
2. Develop the Habit of Mindful Eating – Be consciously aware of my body, my hunger, and every bite of food I put in my mouth
3. Maximize My Afternoon Productivity – Everyday after lunch, pick one high value project and attack it with the “50-50-30” plan. (50 minutes on, 10 minutes off. 50 minutes on, 10 minutes off. 30 minutes on. During “on times” focus exclusively on that one thing and shut everything else off)
4. Exercise – Develop the habit of getting some kind of exercise everyday.
5. Education – Spend one hour a day, usually in the evening, engaged in learning. This could be reading a non-fiction book, listening to an audio program, or watching tutorial videos (I have a backlog of many of all of these)
6. Fun – Spend one hour a day engaging in something that is actively fun (as opposed to mindlessly surfing the internet or watching TV). This could be reading a good fiction book, spending time with friends, playing a video game that I am into. Whatever, as long as I think it’s fun.

There you have it. Those are my six goals. Looking at it here, it seems like a lot, but each one is broken up into gradually increasing chunks. For example, for week one of habit one, I am just committing to 125 words of fiction, 250 words of non-fiction, and 1 marketing activity a day. That is so small that I know beyond a doubt I can do it. (Of course, after I have completed the habit portion, I may revisit all those activities later in the day and do more).

If you have struggled in the past with resolutions and goals, why not give the 6 habit plan a try? If you’re feeling particularly bold, go ahead and post your six in the comments below.

Best of luck, and here’s to an amazing 2011!
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About

By Avish Parashar. As the world's only Motivational Improviser, Avish uses techniques from the world of improv comedy to engage, entertain, and educate audiences on ideas around change, creativity, and motivation. Connect with Avish on Google+

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