Wanna Hear the Most Interesting Story in the World?

Did you know only 40% to 45% of American adults make New Year’s resolutions? I’ll assume those 50 to 55% who don’t make New Years resolutions did at one time, but gave up, because in the past they’ve just worn off. My theory has always been shower’s wears off to, and that’s exactly why you take one everyday right? Common New Year’s resolutions include weight loss, exercise, stop smoking, better money management, etc.  Personally, over the years I’ve tried everything from the big, hairy audacious goals, to the wimpy conservative   (I just don’t want to fail) goals. Some have stuck, others haven’t, but I always look forward to the fresh new opportunity that comes with a new year. This year I’m shooting for a more balanced approach with one big business goal, one fitness goal, and one family related goal. Will they all stick? Well, according to some research here are my odds. 75 % of New Year’s resolutions are maintained past the first week, 71% past two weeks, 64% after one month and 46% after six months.  But, what I like most about my chances is that those same studies indicate that those who explicitly set New Year’s resolutions are 10 times more likely to achieve their goals than those who do not. Sounds like a similar analogy as “you can’t hit the ball if you don ‘t take a swing “.

We’re obviously in one hell of a downturn, and I’ve recently read that it’s speculated 3000 plus of the 7500 franchised dealers are now gone with many more to follow. This information coupled with the preparation required for our recently completed Sales and Marketing Recession Rescue bootcamp  prompted me to stumble upon this fascinating  story of Earl Nightingale that I haven’t heard or seen in at least a decade. It’s been called the most interesting story in the world.

Earl, was born in Los Angeles California in 1921. At an early age Earl’s father left him, his mother, and his two brothers behind to survive on their own during the Great Depression. With jobs extremely difficult to come by Earls mom struggled to support the family by working at a sewing factory and housing the family in a tent city. Earl absolutely hated being poor, and couldn’t understand why his family and all those around him were so poor while there were some people, in fact many people,  who not only had money, but were rich.  He would ask his mom and his neighbors why this was, but nobody had an answer, and didn’t seem particularly bothered by being poor.

So it was at this point Earl began frequenting the local library in search of answers. For the next 20 years Earl researched, experienced and evaluated why it was that some achieved success while others came up short.  Here’s what he found.

If you take 100 individuals who start even at the age of 25, with grandiose hopes and aspirations of success and money, by the time they are 65 only one will end up rich. Four will make it to financial independence, five will still be working and 54 will be broke.

So whats the difference? Here’s what Earl had to say: “The difference is goals. People with goals succeed because they know where they’re going. It’s that simple. Failures, on the other hand, believe that their lives are shaped by circumstances … by things that happen to them … by exterior forces.”

With that in mind, regardless of the economy wouldn’t you agree 2010 is a great year to set some new goals? Here are a few strategies I like to leverage regarding goal setting.

1. Measured Progress – You may have heard me refer to WGMGD. What’s Good is Miller Genuine Draft. Kidding, WGMGD is an acronym that stands for What Gets Measured Gets Done.  Benchmark statistics are great motivators as are pre-determined deadlines.  Whether it’s your body weight, payroll percentages, jogging minutes per mile average, or a % increase from your previous year’s sales, personal or professional, there’s nothing quite like the power of numbers.
2. If it Aint in writing it Aint a Goal! (I sometimes catch hell for my southern accent, so I figure I might as well run with it.)  The Lt. Colonel taught me the importance of committing goals to writing . Over the years I’ve found it that if I write it down, and review it daily it magically gets done!
3. Commitments to others – Those with integrity don’t like to say one thing and do another. I’ve always believed strongly in the positive power of peer pressure and find that sharing your commitments with other like minded individuals greatly increases the chances you’ll make it happen.  High achievers routinely put themselves under the gun to meet publicized deadlines.
4. Subject Matter Total Immersion – Input is in direct correlation to ouput –  Inspiration can come from many places including Books, magazines, TV, friends, family, internet etc. The encouragement you receive from external influences to set and keep your goals is greatly dependent upon your ability to stimulate yourself with the right subject matter.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained….Happy New Year, and Happy New Year’s Resolutions.

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