Have you ever had New Year’s resolutions? If yes, how often have you been able to keep them? And how many times have you actually achieved your set goals?
Every year, at the end of the year we are excited about the New Year. We make lots of promises and resolutions. Our popular resolutions include spending more quality time with loved ones, finding our soul mates, getting a better job, starting our own business, improving health, losing weight, improving finance, helping others, quitting smoking, reducing drinking, learning something new, and making an adventurous trip to just name a few.
Although we make great resolutions, unfortunately we are not very good in keeping them. Statistics show that 52% of people are confident of success with their goals at the beginning of every year but only 12% actually achieve their goals. This is a low percentage. Why?
The first reason is that the resolutions are in our heads and not in our hearts. We just make resolutions for the sake of making them. We don’t take them to our hearts. Therefore, our resolutions are not consciously made.
The second reason is that we procrastinate. We delay our goals because we think that we still have many days left till the end of the year. We do not commit to change our mindset and get out of our comfort zone. We have no courage to embrace the change and take necessary actions.
The third reason is that we have no fun with our goals. We do not enjoy the process. We do not come up with creative ways for fulfilling our goals. And therefore, we forget about them after a while.
If you have not been much successful in keeping your resolutions, I have a solution for you. It is called the A.C.E. formula. Do you want to be an Ace by the end of the year? If yes, follow this formula and the success shall be on your side.
The A in the ACE formula stands for Awareness. You need to be conscious about your decisions. You need to be aware why for instance you want to lose weight. Saying, “because I am fat” is not enough. You need to link your mind to your heart. You can do this by asking two questions from yourself. The pain question and the pleasure question. With the pain question, you ask yourself:”What would be the pain if I do not achieve this goal?” With the pleasure question, you ask yourself:”What would be the pleasure if I fulfill this goal?” Write down your answers for each goal so that you can relate yourself to your goals emotionally.
The C in the ACE formula stands for Commitment. Once you become aware of your goals and link your mind to your heart, you need to commit to your resolutions. Commit to action. Commit to keeping your promise to yourself. Commit to embrace change and challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zone in order to get where you want to be. Commit to go the extra mile.
The E in the ACE formula stands for Enjoyment. You need to enjoy the process and have fun. This is the only way by which you can keep your resolutions and achieve your goals. For this purpose find creative ways that take you to your destination while you have fun. Find ways to link your goals to your passions. You may think of finding buddies who have the same purpose and enjoy the process together. You may think of writing a blog regarding your experience so that others can be inspired with your approach.
So, are you ready to apply the ACE formula and bring your New Year’s resolutions to life through awareness, commitment, and enjoyment?
At Dream Achievers Academy, we are always ready to serve you and help you achieve your dreams and fulfill your passions and purpose.
Kamran Akbarzadeh, PhD
Founder of Dream Achievers Academy
Author of Leadership Soup
