Creating Momentum: A Spring Recalibration Guide

Spring has sprung. I love this time of year. It’s a great time to break out the shorts and t-shirts, make those exciting summer plans, catch a ballgame, and, of course, see how you’re coming along with your New Year’s resolutions.

You do remember those, don’t you?

Well, if you haven’t changed the way you work, aren’t leaner in your appearance, and/or haven’t started your business or dream job, don’t worry—you’re not alone. In fact, only 25% of people keep their resolutions for one month, with only 8%–9% staying with them throughout the year.

If you fall into the eight or nine percent… congratulations and keep up the magnificent work. But for the rest, perhaps you’re experiencing an attitude shift from hopeful to discouraged, which is certainly not the way to go through the rest of the year. Knowing only my percentage for not achieving past years’ resolutions—100%—I can speak from experience on this.

This is why years ago, I made a mindset shift and no longer make “resolutions.” I no longer make proclamations of, for example, getting healthier, earning more money, making outlandish predictions about my life, etc. I am now more measured in my thoughts, approach, and attitude.

It doesn’t mean I don’t hold myself accountable. It doesn’t mean I don’t set goals, and it sure as heck doesn’t mean I’m not fired up and ready for success like never before. It does mean, however, that my approach is more measured, and I’ve come to understand that if I slip up along the way, I haven’t failed.

Let’s look at the age-old resolution to get healthier, a great goal by the way. You join a gym, start incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet, consume fewer carbs, and drink little to no alcohol.

Awesome start!

Somewhere along the way though, you miss a day or two at the gym and at the same time, you go to a meeting where there are these fresh, incredibly enticing, mouthwatering doughnuts. You spot your favorite flavor and can taste it before taking a bite. You reason that one can’t hurt, but upon finishing that last delicious bite, instant regret sets in.

At that moment of regret is a true test of resolve. Part of you screams, “It’s over,” “I’ve failed,” and “Oh well, at least I’ve had a few good weeks of change.” The other part of you whispers, “It’s OK,” “I can start again tomorrow,” or “I won’t let one or two bad days ruin the rest of my plan.”

Typically—over 90% of us anyway—the screaming part wins, we return to our old ways and think of what might’ve been.

And this is why I’ve changed.

With resolutions, we announce a hard-core, steadfast proclamation that we can do it! And because we’re so into it at the time of making them, we think of any little slip up as complete and total failure.

Well, I challenge you to begin thinking differently.

If your resolutions for the year have already gone by the wayside, it doesn’t have to be over. It’s springtime, and you still have the vast majority of the year to go.

Look at it from a different perspective. For example, in using the example above, tell yourself, “Well, it’s too bad I missed the gym and ate that doughnut, but I’ve had three days (weeks or months) of great success which far outweighs the slip up, so tomorrow, I’m back at it and ready to excel again.”

Don’t you feel better just reading that?

And speaking of improving your health, doesn’t this way also help you improve your mental health? Because you’ve gone from feeling like a failure to hitting that bump in the road… then continuing to move forward. That is a victory and something you should allow yourself to recognize, feel good about, and shout from the mountain tops.

If you want to call it something different than a resolution, call it a lifestyle change. Call it a business strategy. Call it a life enhancement. Whichever way suits you best, resolve to replace your resolutions with a mindset shift in your approach.

You’ve got this! You are that resilient. You are that powerful. You are that successful. And yes, your resolve is stronger than any setback.

Perspective. It’s a beautiful thing, isn’t it?