A fresh start

It is that time of year when we feel it is necessary to purge our systems and look at ways we can improve our lives with New Year's resolutions.

Most resolutions are behaviour based and the toughest to crack are addictive habits. Those who succeed in changing such behaviours have thought seriously about committing themselves ' they know there are no quick fixes and are committed to changing their habits and routine over the long term.

Not nearly enough thought goes into making New Year's resolutions, and often they are made at a time when guilt is running high. Increasing exercise is the most popular resolution, closely followed by devoting time to study, eating healthy food and a reducing alcohol and tobacco consumption.

When we adopt new behavioural patterns it is done with the intention of creating an outcome; and usually there is motivation behind wanting to achieve that goal ' be it a slimmer figure, a better job, or a healthier lifestyle.

But as an IFA, there is no better place to apply new behavioural patterns than your business. In financial services today, it is easy to become preoccupied with regulatory processes and the business equivalent of 'take more exercise' can easily be forgotten.

As a result the first resolution for this year has to be to set resolutions ' be it to re-contact clients you have not heard from or contacted in some time, or to set up a website and market your services online. At this stage they are only pledges or promises and as we know from experience, promises can be broken. This is mainly because most resolutions stay just that ' a resolution to do something. So for this reason it is best to write down and visualise your desired outcomes or goals.

Moving the goalposts

Much has been written about goal setting, but it is worrying how few people actually bother. Yet, effective goal setting, combined with creative visualisation techniques, are an effective way of helping you achieve what you want. It provides focus and allows you to organise your thoughts and resources. Quite apart from providing structure to your daily routine, the very act of setting goals makes you feel motivated and gives you the extra confidence necessary to move forward.

Research shows people who set goals not only achieve the results they desire, but are happier at work. They have more self-confidence, have better concentration and suffer less stress. Imagine how you will feel as each goal is ticked off the list, and how much more confident you will be setting more.

Here are some basic rules:

• Review 2001. Think about everything you achieved and did well.

• Do not get too ambitious and set too many goals. Stick to around three important 'outcome goals' for the year, and three 'behavioural goals'. Make them realistic, challenging and achievable within a set time frame.

• Set one goal that can be achieved within one week.

• Prioritise, and if necessary break them down into smaller goals, again with a time frame.

• Write your goals down, and keep them visible. Write down what it will mean to achieve each goal.

• Decide how you will reward yourself when each goal is achieved, and learn lessons about the process of setting goals.

• No excuses. Make time in your diary to set goals.

Making time to set goals is a major step forward in itself, and to make the process even more effective, employ creative visualisation techniques. Vividly imagine yourself achieving each goal. Picture yourself ticking off each achievement and imagine how you will feel. Try to remember past successes and how you felt then. With practice you can visualise yourself achieving goals and remember the feelings of past success simultaneously. The combination is powerful.

Just as sports stars visualise their performance and success in advance of a run, jump or putt, business people should use the same technique.