New Year’s Resolutions May Be Met With the Help of a Coach


Article originally published in

By Nancy Keny

I’m sure the last thing you want to read is yet another article regarding New Year’s resolutions. So what’s going to be different about this one? It reveals the secret of getting you to do what you don’t want to do in order to get you where you want to be.

What if you had your own personal trainer for your life and career? What if you had unconditional support and encouragement to achieve more than you ever thought possible? What could you do? What goals could you reach that have eluded you for so long?

Having the assistance of a Professional and Personal Coach may be the secret to your New Year’s success.

If you knew you’d be successful, what one change would you make in the coming year that would transform your life?

Just one. Think big. Remember you have the support of a coach. Don’t get bogged down in the details or be overwhelmed by the question. Don’t even think too long about it. What was the first thing that popped into your head? Don’t censor it.

Do you want to start making it a reality while you read this column? Are you willing to commit these next 10 minutes to mapping out a plan for your new change?

The key is going to be for you to commit to paper your answers to the following questions. Your coach will help you along the way.

1. What is your one change or Goal?

Be very specific. Your coach will help you uncover the layers to get to the bottom line. If it is “Spend more time with my family,” “Make more money,” “Be healthier, exercise,” decide exactly what that means. How much “more time” with your family? An hour a day, week-ends, for dinner? How much “more money?” $5,000, 50,000, $100,000? Exercise 1x per week, 5x …

2. How will this alter your life?

List three ways your life will be better with this new change. There has to be compelling reasons for you to even consider your particular goal. Envision that you are already there-what’s it look like, feel like? Choose the most powerful vision as your motivating force. Your Coach will help you understand the reason that will motivate you to success.

3. What will your life look like if you don’t make the change? 

Your Coach is also there to help you explore the reality of not making this change which is, the over-used, yet poignant, saying “If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting”

4. What obstacles do you foresee getting in the way of following through with your goal?

This is a point where the support of your coach is critical. This is the place where obstacles and self-sabotage comes into play. Where all of the initial excitement gets buried and you give up, “once again.” Where you may loose momentum, energy and confidence. Your coach will help you uncover potential or hidden obstacles and create strategies to overcome them, one by one, before you start the process toward your goal.

5. So what’s your plan?

Now that you know where you want to go, why it’s imperative that you get there, what obstacles you know you will face and overcome, it’s time to create a game plan.

The crucial point is that attaining goals is a process, not an event. Your coach will walk you through and map out the specific steps you need to set into place to get you jump- started toward your goal.

Here, your main goal will be broken down into smaller doable action steps to ensure success building momentum. Your Coach will help you create the plan – and STICK TO IT.

In order to keep you focused, on track and energized toward your vision,  weekly follow-up sessions are scheduled to discuss progress, deal with obstacles, and to celebrate not only when there is success, but failure.

Keep this in mind as you make your next New Years resolutions, your next career change, or you next major business plan. Success is achieved as much through discipline and support as it is because of creative ideas. A Coach can provide the structure to help you make your dreams come true.