Image Credit: Depositphotos

Think back to the beginning of the year, your last strategic planning session, or the last time you attended an event and made a commitment to change.

How’s that working for you?

If you are like most people, you had the initial energy to start toward that commitment. You were excited.

But then, the excitement began to lag or became overshadowed by other commitments that piled on over the course of time.

This is most people, but it is not ALL people. There are those few who make commitments and also see them through, again and again and again.

How can you be one of those few who sustain commitment for the long haul?

A commitment, basically, is establishing a habit.

It can be the kind of habit you need to continue indefinitely, or it can be a habit that gets you to an intended destination in a set amount of time.

Either way, a commitment requires that you do certain actions on a regular basis.

You get things done by habit.

Thus, to sustain a commitment, you must establish a habit.

Three Keys to Establishing a Habit that Sticks

Beginning a habit requires energy to overcome the inertia that exists. Let’s face it, sitting on the couch eating potato chips is a lot easier than training for a marathon. But if your goal is to be healthy, sooner or later, you are going to have to exert the energy to leave the confines of your comfort zone.

Once you have determined your goal, the next step is to decide what habit will get you there.

Habit is a Math Equation

First, you divide.

If your goal is to write a book, how many pages will you need to write each day in order to meet your deadline?

Then, you add and subtract.

When will you write each day? Since this adds to your schedule, you will need to determine what must also be subtracted (maybe some of your couch-sitting potato chip time).

Habit is a Strategic Plan of Action

Good habits require a strategic plan of action. How can you set yourself up for success? How will you track your progress? What are your milestones? What current habit can serve as a cue for your new habit?

This is strategy.

But you must also apply the action part. You must decide to do the action daily. It can be as little as five minutes, but you need to begin establishing a daily habit of action.

Habit is an Individual Style

You may have made time for your new habit and established your strategic plan. You may have started taking action.

But this third part is the part that makes or breaks the deal.

How can you create strong accountability? And how can you ensure it works for you?

You will have the most success if you surround yourself with the resources that work for your particular style.

D – D’s like challenge.

A public commitment to an event with a defined deadline can be enough to help you push through the lag points. Competition, respect, and achievement are great motivators. This is why D’s will often post their commitments and their results on social media.

In terms of a coach, you will respond best to a no-nonsense coach who is straightforward and direct, and who helps you determine your next three action steps.

I – I’s love people and fun.

Your new habit will stick if it includes these two elements, along with visual and audio reminders. It may mean joining a group with a similar goal. It may include apps and gamification. It definitely should include rewards for each milestone.

Your coach would be one who encourages you to keep going but who can also help you snap back to center when you wander off-grid.

S – S’s enjoy stability.

Your habits often include a clear plan and a checklist. You will accomplish a great deal if you know people are counting on you to reach your goal. You may choose to team up with a partner to work on a regular basis. One-on-one camaraderie works well for you.

Your coach would be one who is engaging, uplifting, and encouraging – and who will help you realize what you need to meet the deadline.

C – C’s enjoy quality and efficiency.

Your motivation for sustaining a habit is the quality you are creating in doing so. Milestones will keep you moving forward, with intrinsic rewards for a job well done. Deadlines will help you pull forward when analysis attempts to derail your efforts. A written, defined plan will carry you far.

Your best coach would be one who understands your need to think through a problem, do things correctly, and maintain your own authority. They will draw from you your next best steps.

Is Your Habit on Track?

• Have you done the math?
• Do you have a strategic plan?
• Have you taken action?
• Are you working to establish your habits according to your individual style?

For valuable resources on Leadership Strengths and Tools, click here.

Deb Ingino is a highly sought-after executive coach, mentor, consultant, and speaker worldwide. Deb is well versed in business operations and in the importance of asking key questions most business leaders won’t ask themselves. She brings deep experience in leadership development, strategy, high performance team building and effective communication. She has a passion for leading people to discover and maximize their strengths as well as those of fellow team members, while offering advanced strategies to achieve high performance. Deb is the perfect fit if you’re ready to take your leadership and impact to the next level!