The document discusses setting New Year's resolutions and provides context around their history and psychology. It notes that 40-54% of North Americans make resolutions, with most common being weight loss/exercise, quitting habits, debt reduction, and spending more time with family/friends. However, completion rates drop significantly within the first few months. The document then discusses the historic roots of resolutions in ancient Babylon and Rome. It provides tips for effective goal setting using the SMART framework and explains how the conscious and subconscious mind work together.

1. G OA L
SE T T I N G
For this upcoming year!
“IF IT’S TO BE… It has to be from Me ”
Created by: Night Owl Consulting
For: Stepping Stone Community Services, Jan 2012 Owner/Friend: Geoff Moses
Presenter / Guest: Geoff Moses www.nightowlconsulting.ca
778-808-3786 (P)
geomoses@yahoo.com

2. Did you know?
• Common belief is that 40-54% of North
Americans make some sort of New Years
resolution
• Most common resolutions:
1. Weight loss/Exercise plans
2. Quitting old habits
3. Debt reduction / financial freedom
4. More time with friends/family
• Still Resolved: Week 1 -> 75%
Week 2 -> 70%
1 month -> 65%
6 months -> Less than 50%
So, Why do people set them?

3. New Year Resolutions Historic Roots
• The ancient Babylonians made promises to their gods at the start of
each year that they would return borrowed objects and pay their
debts. (1650 BC)
• The Romans began each year by making promises to the god Janus, for
whom the month of January is named. (9th Century)
• In the Medieval era, the knights took the "peacock vow" at the end of
the Christmas season each year to re-affirm their commitment to
chivalry. (5th-15th century)
• Judaism's New Year, Rosh Hashanah, is a time to reflect upon one's
wrongdoings over the year and both seek and offer forgiveness
• People may act similarly during the Christian fasting period of Lent.
This is the time to prepare the faithful for the spiritual work they are to
accomplish.
New Year’s resolutions are very old human practices!

4. The Psychology of Resolutions
• People who believe that self-control is something dynamic, changing and unlimited
(Ie: “I can stop smoking, all I have to do is put my mind to it.) set more resolutions. Often
we want to believe we can
• Cognitive Dissonance: We can not hold on to two conflicting beliefs at once. Ie: “I want
to quite smoking” (But we don’t care – Or perhaps don’t even believe we need to)
• People love new things/starts: The beginning of a New Year can represent a fresh clean
slate, where we start anew. It can be a time of new found hope and motivation.
• Collective Consciences: Being in a group or with others tend to improve the outcome of
a goal. So collectively across many parts of the world – on Jan 1 - we resolve together. The
thought that you aren’t alone in your resolution makes it easy to take a crack at it.
• What we believe to be truth controls how we live our lives. If we believe we don’t really
have to change – we may not. Its important to clearly understand what we believe and to
determine if these beliefs are really the truth.
• We can gradually get use to pretty much anything (incremental change is very powerful
process) – so turning things around can be pretty difficult to do. As well, Adults typically
make decisions based on what has happened in the past- not what we want in future.
• Most major changes in our lives follow a significant emotional events – something that
scheduled yearly planning (Jan 1) rarely has.
•Often we put restrictive rules on ourselves that aren’t really there – then we act on it
whether consciously or not. (more on that later…)

5. New Years Resolutions are a form of ‘Goal Setting’
Most common Acronym for
S- Specific:Setting? for a specific goal over and
Goal stresses the need
against a more general one. To make goals specific, cite
exactly what is expected, why is it important, who’s involved,
where is it going to happen and which attributes are
important.
M- Measurable: stresses the need for concrete criteria for
measuring progress. Measuring progress is supposed to help
stay on track, reach target dates, and experience the
exhilaration of achievement as its happening.
A- Attainable: stresses the importance of goals that are
realistic and attainable. When you identify goals that are most
important to you, you begin to figure out ways you can make
them come true. Its been said that people who
R- Relevant: A relevant goal must represent an objective that write down goals are 7-10x
the goal-setter is willing and able to work towards. more likely to commit to them.
T- Time-bound: A commitment to a deadline helps focus ***
efforts on completion of the goal on or before the due date. A Have you written your New
time-bound goal is intended to establish a sense of urgency. Year’s resolution(s) out?
*Meyer, Paul J (2003). "What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail? Creating S.M.A.R.T. Goals". Attitude Is Everything: If You Want to Succeed Above and Beyond.

6. A Simplified look
at
‘How the
Conscious Brain Works’
Sub Conscious
Creative
Sub-conscious
Perceive Stores &
Associate Record Info Maintains
Evaluate (Body’s Hard drive)
Sanity
Decide
Window to world Not aware of truth/false Coping Mechanisms
(Garbage in/out)
*Source Adapted from : “Framework for Breaking Barriers” Workbook, Gordie Graham, pg, 19

7. Which Shape do you
like best?
Directions: 1. Choose the Shape you like best and draw it on something
2. Arrange the shapes in order of your preference from 1-5
Source Adapted from: * Signs of Life: “The Five Universal Shapes and How to Use Them”, Dr. Angeles Arrien

8. What has your creative
sub-conscious asked You
you to focus on this Creative
Sub-
conscious
year?Wholeness? Position 1:
Goals/
needs
Something you feel strong in
Relationships? Position 2: Your strength and best
asset to get at your goals
Position 3: What you really
Dreams / Vision? need/want to work on this year
Position 4: Your reason for
Growth? committing/staying committed to
your goals
Position 5: Things that might get
Stability? in your way to meeting your goals
Ideas from the Subconscious Mind - Are you going to listen?

9. Ideas from the Subconscious Mind –
Are you going to listen?
• My Sub-conscious self is telling me
I might need/want to work on the
following New Years resolution:
________________________
• How can you apply S.M.A.R.T.
principles to your needs to help you
make this a successful year?