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How to Be Part of the 9%

Writer's picture: Annette DavidAnnette David

Every January, millions of people set New Year’s resolutions, envisioning a better, more fulfilling year ahead. Whether shedding extra pounds, mastering a new skill, or building financial security, these goals symbolize fresh starts and personal growth. However, research shows that only about 9% of people actually achieve their resolutions (Source: University of Scranton, Journal of Clinical Psychology).

What separates these achievers from the rest? It’s not luck—it’s strategy. If you’ve set a goal this year, here’s how to join this elite group and achieve your resolution.


1. Find Your Why: Tap Into Intrinsic Motivation

The most enduring motivation comes from within. Instead of focusing on external rewards, connect with your goal's deeper, personal reasons.

Ask yourself:

  • How does achieving this goal align with my core values?

  • What impact will it have on my life and well-being?

For instance, if your resolution is to exercise more, think beyond weight loss. Picture how improved health could enhance your energy, confidence, and ability to fully engage in activities you love. When the going gets tough, revisit your “why” to reignite your drive.

Pro Tip: Write down your reasons and place them somewhere visible, like your phone wallpaper or bathroom mirror, to remind you of your purpose daily.


2. Use the WOOP Method to Bridge Dreams into Action

Dreaming about success feels good, but turning dreams into reality requires planning. Enter WOOP, an evidence-based strategy developed by Gabriele Oettingen, Professor of Psychology at NYU. WOOP combines positive visualization with practical action, helping you prepare for inevitable challenges.

Here’s how to WOOP your goal:

  • Wish: Identify what you truly want to achieve. Ensure it’s meaningful and aligned with your priorities.

  • Outcome: Visualize the best possible result. What will success look and feel like?

  • Obstacle: Pinpoint internal barriers, like procrastination or self-doubt, that could derail your progress.

  • Plan: Create a clear “if-then” plan to overcome these obstacles. For example: “If I feel tempted to skip my workout, then I’ll remind myself of how energized I feel afterward and commit to just 10 minutes.”

This structured approach transforms vague aspirations into actionable, achievable steps.


3. Understand the Price of Success

Every goal has a cost—be it time, effort, or sacrifice. Are you ready to pay it?

Success doesn’t require perfection, but it does demand discipline. It’s the small, consistent choices you make daily: showing up, tracking your progress, and staying the course even when it’s hard.

Remember this:

  • Discipline weighs ounces; regret weighs tons.

    Skipping that workout or postponing that project might feel easier today, but missed opportunities add up over time.

Decide now which price you’re willing to pay—discipline or regret—and commit to the former.


4. Embrace a Growth Mindset

Many resolutions fail because people view setbacks as failures instead of learning opportunities and quit. Adopting a growth mindset, as popularized by Carol Dweck, shifts your perspective:

  • See failure as data: When something doesn’t work, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?” And Keep going.

  • Focus on progress, not perfection: Growth is a messy, non-linear process. Celebrate small wins and adjust when necessary.

  • Win or learn: Even when you don’t achieve your immediate goal, you gain knowledge, resilience, and momentum for future efforts.

Think of every challenge as a stepping stone, bringing you closer to your ultimate success.


5. Make It a Journey, Not Just a Destination

Achieving your New Year’s resolution isn’t about flawless execution—it’s about persistence. No matter how imperfect, every small step moves you closer to your goal.

Celebrate your progress, reflect on your “why,” and keep refining your strategies. The journey itself holds immense value—shaping you into a stronger, more resilient version of yourself.


6. Think Like Michelangelo: See the Masterpiece Within

Michelangelo famously said that he saw David in the block of marble before he began carving. His job was to chip away everything that wasn’t David.

This metaphor is a perfect lens through which to view your goals. Imagine that your ideal self—the one who has achieved your desired resolution—is already within you. Your task is removing distractions, habits, and obstacles that obscure your potential.

Chipping Away at Your Goals:

  • Identify the Marble: Define your goal clearly, like Michelangelo visualized David within the block. What does success look like for you?

  • Remove What Doesn’t Serve You: Each small, consistent action chips away at your “marble”—whether it’s eliminating procrastination, building new habits, or letting go of self-doubt.

  • Trust the Process: Michelangelo didn’t carve David in a single day. Your journey to success will also take time, effort, and persistence. Every chip brings you closer to revealing your masterpiece.

Remember: You don’t have to create perfection overnight. Stay focused on what matters, and celebrate every bit of progress. With patience and determination, your vision will take shape, just as David emerged from stone.


Ready to Join the 9%?

This year, break free from the cycle of unfulfilled resolutions. You can achieve what you want by connecting with motivation, using evidence-based tools like WOOP, understanding the price of success, embracing a growth mindset, and thinking like Michelangelo, you can achieve your goals.

Here’s to making this year your most accomplished one yet—because you have what it takes to be part of the 9% and Live Your Magick!

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©2024 Annette David

Rare Air Consulting

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