Positive Resolutions Lead To Positive Changes
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Have you made resolutions to accelerate your career in 2011? Experts say that making resolutions improve by a factor of 10 your odds of achieving positive changes.

If you haven’t resolved to make specific changes in your life in the world of work and in your personal life during the new year you can expect to get the same results you experienced

in 2010. Ask yourself: “Will that be good enough to get me where I want to go?”

Some people rely on hopes, wishes, or desires; they are more apt to fail to achieve success than those who set out in writing specific plans and have a plan of action to advance their careers.

Despite this reality, fewer than half of those who make resolutions keep them for at least six months. Only about 19% stay true to their vows for two years.

People who think about making specific changes in their life and their career, but don’t get around to actually codifying resolutions, fail at a higher rate than those who set goals and make specific plans to change their daily behavior, according to John Norcross, a psychology professor at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania.

Eight Tips To Carry Out Your Resolutions

Here are eight tips that will help you to carry out your resolutions for 2011:

1. Think of your resolutions as a contract with yourself. Put the deal in writing.

2. Set specific, measurable goals. Be realistic; don’t set yourself up for failure. Break down your resolutions into small, bite-size steps. Have a timetable and a plan for specific actions to advance toward each goal. Rome was not conquered in a day.

3. Tell your friends about your resolutions. This will result in self-imposed pressure to not stop short of reaching your goals. After all, you don’t want to be seen as failing. And, by the way, ask them for help.

4. Think back to what you did with your resolutions in the past year. If you fell short, make sure you break the habits that were at fault.

5. Expect setbacks; they are inevitable. Take a deep breath. Get back on that horse that threw you off as quickly as possible.

6. Hold yourself accountable. Review your resolution on a regular basis against established measurements. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. Be ready to change or add to you resolutions if you see an opportunity improve them.

7. Reward yourself as you reach milestones on the way to achieving your resolutions.

8. Have an alternate back-up plan for each resolution in case you fail to reach your goal.

Remember this admonition from a wiseman: “Good resolutions are a pleasant crop to sow. The seeds spring up readily, and the blossoms open so soon with such a brave show. But when the time for flowers has passed, what as to the fruit?”

I wish you career success in 2011.