Finish 2009 with a Bang?

September 23rd is an important day as it marks the 100 day countdown of 2009. I’m sure as I get older, the years past faster – or is it because our habits and routines become more ingrained?  This video is promotional, but I think a great way of looking at the way we live day to day:-

Is that you? I’d be first to admit I can see a bit of me there. Unfortunately habits are very comfortable. As I’ve said before, building self confidence requires stepping outside your comfort zone.

Are you going to finish 2009 with a Bang?

Gary Ryan Blair, who narrates the video, has created a challenge that centres on “finishing 2009” strong. I should add that its also centred on selling a product, but like a lot of these launches gives a way some good free stuff along the way.

I’ve downloaded his free ebook “How to Create Your Own Big Bang!“, which like the video has some interesting perspectives and useful content.

Gary asks a number of questions for you to consider as you progress towards the end of 2009:-

1. What specific results have you achieved so far this year?

2. Are you healthier, wealthier, and wiser?

3. Are you winning, losing or just holding ground?

4. What results are you committed to achieve by the end of the year?

5. How have you grown and what have you learned this year?

6. Is there any unfinished business that needs to be tended to in your life?

7. Are you actively pursuing what’s most important on a daily basis?

8. What habits do you need to change to ensure better results?

9. What is the key issue that inhibits your ability to perform at your best?

Looking at some of my own posts on goal setting I must admit I can be rather reflective and ambivalent about goals.  Gary, who actually styles himself “the Goals Guy” certainly isn’t going to allow anyone to wimp out on him!

Achieving goals does help build self confidence. Goals don’t have to be big, and in many ways achieving lots of small goals can create a momentum. Not everyone thrives on big challenges, as Gary seems to imply.

Its also interesting to reflect on goals now, rather than the beginning of  January. I’m not sure if I’ll be enrolling on Gary’s full program, but I certainly intend to make the most of those 100 days.

Who are you Accountable to?

What I think makes any goal more “live” is being accountable to someone other than just yourself.  To use Gary’s more direct language, “what if I were to follow you with a camera crew 24 hours a day 7 days a week for the next 100 days while you went for your goals?” I think 3 things would happen….

1. You would START doing the things you say you need to do.
2. You would STOP doing the things you know you shouldn’t be doing.
3. You would MAKE monumental performance gains and change your life.

Accountability serves and protects your character, credibility and commitments. It ensures that what you want to accomplish gets accomplished.  The success of organisations like Weight Watchers is down to members sharing their goals and being accountable to the rest of the group.

I will finish with another quote from Gary:-

“Throughout every area of your life it’s important to understand that ALL unfinished goals, projects and relationships are the result of broken promises, unfulfilled commitments, and lack of accountability.”

Strong words.  But creating accountability is one way to keep yourself on track.