Changing habits is hard. Despite our best intentions, research shows that 8 out of 10 New Year’s resolutions fail.

Can you spot what is wrong with the following goals?

• I want to lose 10lbs by the end of 2017
  
• I want to get out of debt by the end of 2017
  

We have set goals like these dozens of times. They seem admirable and motivating, but there’s one giant problem: each focuses on a specific result and not a practice.

• If you want to lose 10lbs, how are you going to do this?
  
• If you want to get out of debt, what do you have to do?
  

Contrast this with behavior specific goals:

These are actions you take on a regular basis that increase your odds of happiness in the long run - the small habits that lead to successful businesses, completed books, deeper relationships, and more.

They look like this:

• I want to lose 10lbs by the end of 2017 → I go to my local gym every Monday, Wednesday, Friday following Pavel Tsatsouline Simple & Sinister Kettlebell program.
  
• I want to get out of debt → I do at least $250 worth of freelance craigslist gigs on the side each month.
  

These systems become automatic so you do not have to think about them over time. You put the system into place and let them go to work.

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As Lord Chesterfield said, “Take care of the minutes; for hours will take care of themselves.” If you take care of your daily and weekly habits, the goals will take care of themselves.

What systems will you put into place in 2017?

(Source: intelligentchange.com)