It’s that time of the year when people reflect back on their over indulgences during the festive season, as well as all the things they want to achieve with their lives, and make those dreaded New Year’s Resolutions. We are often very sincere in stating our goals, but for how long do we actually stick to them? Days, weeks, months? For some people, they are so embarrassed by previous failed resolutions that they no longer want to commit to any new ones. So where do we go wrong, and how can we break the pattern of failed resolutions?

To make any dream a reality, we need to follow three key steps.

1.     Set the goal. There must be something important we want to achieve that is different from what we have now. It starts with a level of dissatisfaction with the status quo and a vision of how we would like things to be.  In the case of a New Year’s Resolution to “eat better and exercise more”, this desire may be driven by the fact we are not currently feeling as fit or healthy as we would like. We imagine ourselves feeling more healthy and looking better. These dreams of better things to come and dissatisfaction with the present is a good thing, so long as we can actually influence the end result. This is how we learn new things and make progress in our lives.

2.     Create a plan. A dream without a plan is a wish. Often we are very high on the motivation scale to change, but have not defined any  tangible next steps to get us closer to achieving our goals. Our plans may change as we go along, but without a plan we have no reference point around to make any changes and so when obstacles happen, we tend to give up, rather than being able to adjust the plans. Plans don’t have to be detailed but they should include a very definite first milestone and how you are going to measure it. In the case of an exercise program our resolution may include achieving a particular recovery heart rate or body measurement, by a particular date.

3.     Do something. Actions turn plans into reality. Procrastination is usually the killer for us. Tomorrow we will start exercising…and of course, tomorrow never comes. Putting a specific action into your diary, at a specific time, is a good way to force yourself into action. You may resolve to scheduled time at 6am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday to go for a run, and you should follow it religiously  for at least a month. After a while, the activity becomes a habit and you can move onto planning your next goal.

So whether your New Year’s Resolution is personal or work related, break the habit of defining the dream without a plan coupled with some concrete actions.

Happy New Year!

May 2014 be full of new learnings and experiences and remember the serenity prayer:

Accept the things I cannot change,

change the things I can,

And have the wisdom to know the difference

With the passing of Nelson Mandela this week, I was reminded  of the paradox of power versus humility. Modern leaders are required to be charged up, passionate drivers of change - never settling on mediocrity or just accepting things that can be, and should be changed. On the other hand , they have to do it through other people, and humbly accept that on their own, the changes cannot happen.
 
Making those changes may require sacrifice.  In Mandela’s speech at his trial, prior to his 27 year imprisonment he  said ” I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons  live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. An ideal which I hope to live for and achieve. But if needs be, it’s an ideal I am prepared to die for”.  Brave words for someone accused of treason and facing the death penalty.

When eventually released from prison he led the South African nation to a bloodless transition of government through a mixture of brave, steely determination coupled with a humility that few understood. Right to the end, he refused to accept personal glory for his efforts. He was always making reference to those around him and acknowledging and praising their contributions.  

Good business leadership in the current knowledge era is similar. It’s about leading from a supportive stand point, and having the humility to accept that it is others who will actually make the difference. What is sometimes misunderstood is that it is not an abdication style of leadership, where a very passive role is taken. Mandela was a powerful and influential leader in South Africa and despite his humble attitude, often stubbornly and determinedly promoted changes in attitude that were unpopular even amongst his closest supporters. Leadership demands passion, drive and determination. 

In a paradoxical way, you need to lead from the front in terms of leading by example, while in reality leading from behind, realising on your own you can achieve very little. It  is others who will ultimately make it happen.

To end with  another quote from Mandela (spoken at his presidential inauguration).  “We know it well that none of us acting alone can achieve success”.