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Tradition reminds us it is now time to take on New Year’s Resolutions. We may not know where these resolutions began. Yet, while the origin still remains a mystery, these declared promises mostly become a distant memory just as quickly as they are made.
We can thank, Janus, a mythical King in early Rome, for the advent of these rarely reached New Years resolutions. He is also the namesake for the first month of our calendar year. At the stroke of midnight, the Romans imagined Janus, with two faces, looking back on events of the past year, and simultaneously looking forward to the year that lies ahead.
Becoming the ancient symbol for resolutions, Janus inspired the Romans to look for forgiveness from their enemies and also exchange gifts before the beginning of the new calendar year. It is now no wonder why many, with raised champagne glass in hand, belt out their favorite rendition of Auld Lang Syne.
In 46 B.C., it was declared by Julius Caesar that the New Year was to begin on January 1. However, in this New Year, centuries later, without Janus in sight, you will finally come armed with proven techniques to assist you in keeping those resolutions you have all too often abandoned.
The biggest concern when choosing a resolution is typically that no plan of action is created. You may believe that you want to break 80 consistently, eat more nutriously, or even strengthen and tone your core muscles, yet, if you have no real method to achieve your goals, there is no way to guarantee success.
Regardless of what your golf resolution is, use these key steps to ensure that you stay the course.
1. Determine what you desire to change. Be as specific as you can.
Instead of resolving to just lower your score, choose an end goal, the exact result that you want to achieve. What handicap would please you? What particular score do you want to reach and maintain? Always keep your result in plain view. Post it on your bathroom mirror, on the fridge, and on your steering wheel.
Research shows that we more often achieve our goals when they stay top of mind. Be sure to prominently and specifically display what you are reaching to achieve.
2. Set a target date. Be realistic. Be honest with yourself. Give yourself an appropriate amount of time to reach your desired result.
Start with the end result in mind and work forward. Sitting down with a piece of paper, write on the top what specific result you wish to achieve. By doing this, you are creating a game plan. Go ahead, set a date.
When do you realistically think you can achieve this result? Make a list of what you need to be successful. What resources do you need?
Whose support would you like? Think of who you want on your team-who will support and cheer you on. Be sure to include all of this information on the top of your game plan, just below your specific desired result.
3. Break your desired result down into smaller steps that will each lead to achievement.
Once you determine the target date, use a numbering system to count out the number of weeks from now to your target date. If your target date will be reached in 16 weeks, then there would be 16 entries numbered down on your game plan.
On the last entry, write “Achieve Desired Result” in big, bold letters. Always use the present tense when creating a game plan. Get your mind set to be in action right now!
The next step is to break down your game into 4 equal sections of time. From this, you will create milestones. Milestones keep you on track. When you reach each milestone, you will confidently know that you are headed toward your target desired result.
Using the above stated 16 week example, the first milestone would be achieved in 4 weeks, the second in 8 weeks, the third in 12 weeks and finally, the desired result in 16 weeks.
4.Create the action steps necessary to ensure you reach your milestones, and consequently, your desired result.Now that you are set on the timeline, it is important to decide which action steps to take which ensures you reach each milestone. For example, let’s pretend your desired result is to feel completely contented with yourself as a golfer no matter the course or the company you are keeping.
Continuing with the 16 week example, in order to be a completely contented golfer, you must first imagine what it feels like to be a completely contented golfer. From that feeling thought, begin considering what action steps a completely contented golfer would take.
Once established, take a look at the third milestone, which could be called an almost contented golfer. How would an almost contented golfer feel? What would an almost contented golfer be doing?
Remember to keep working from back to front. The process unfolds easier if you work from the end in mind. Then continuing to move toward the beginning, how would a less contented golfer feel?
How would he behave? This would fulfill the action steps for the second milestone.
Next, is to look at fulfilling the action steps for the first milestone. Imagine how a not very contented golfer would feel and do. Finally, decide what action steps a discontented golfer would take to become more contented. This brings you to the beginning of the game plan.
5. Create weekly goals to support the attainment of the milestones.
You are almost ready to begin playing out the action steps toward the achievement of your desired result. The final step is to create weekly actions that will successfully lead you to attaining each milestone. Once you pass each milestone, you are closer and closer to your desired result. These action steps should be fun, easy and achievable.
Regardless of the golf resolution you choose, remember to keep the end goal in mind, post it prominently, enroll as many supporters as you can, rely on your resources, celebrate each milestone, reward yourself when you achieve your desired result, and most importantly, feel good!
Beth Pry is a “Mental Performance Coach” and specializes in hypnotherapy. She works with many professional and competitive golfers throughout the country. She can be contacted at beth@mindlinksgolf.com