Darrell L. Browning is a principal founder of BrowningLaFrankie LLC, a Philadelphia-area based company specializing in helping companies manage crises, train leaders in media and presentation skills and facilitate strategic change through leadership development and organizational development training, workshops and individual coaching. Browning is the trainer-of-choice at The Wharton School MBA Program at the University of Pennsylvania in crisis communications, media training and business writing. A journalist by profession, Browning has more than 20 years of media experience with CBS-Radio, daily newspapers and national magazines. He holds degrees in Journalism and Social Sciences from The Ohio State University. For more information see http://www.browninglafrankie.com.
By Darrell L. Browning
New Year's and Resolutions seem to go together just like Bambi and Thumper. In terms of achievement, however, they don't. Don't be dispirited or give up on change should your resolve falter. First, recognize that most human beings improve with tiny steps--not grandiose resolutions. Human behavior rarely changes at will and is generally successful over a period of time. A simple declaration may work but honestly, how many resolutions can you check off your list this Spring?
That doesn't mean resolutions are worthless or that you shouldn't set goals to improve. Resolving to do something is the first step. It's what comes next that fouls up the works. Ordering yourself to change won't work, but taking small, organized steps will. In addition, you will do much better if you prioritize what you hope to change.
BrowningLaFrankie has worked with leaders on three continents and we can tell you with certainty we haven't met one so perfect they couldn't use some suggestions--simple suggestions--for improvement. And that's the first key to real improvement--break down and simplify the process into achievable steps.
Process is important, but so is organization. Rather than an impossible list, create expectations that are actually attainable. Instead of 10 resolutions, make three. Next, make a rule that you cannot move to the next on the list without meeting, solving or making significant progress on the previous resolution.
Finally, for continual improvement, when one resolution is completed, add another. In addition, consider implementing a specific time period to work on the more difficult tasks and come back to them in the next rotation.
At this juncture, you may have met some of your New Year's Resolutions, and, if so, we congratulate you. But we have to ask: did you tackle the easy resolutions first? That's not such a bad idea. We recommend alternating between easy and more difficult resolutions for better results. Multi-tasking is highly desirable--and patience is still a virtue. Remember, you have all year to work on your list.
For more information see http://www.browninglafrankie.com
©BrowningLaFrankie 2008
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Creating a Successful Business Affiliate Program
- 10 Critical Elements of a Successful Business
- Obsessions Of Successful Businesses
- Creating a Successful Business Exit Strategy--adding the Sixth Step
- Five Don't That Will Help you Create a Successful Business
- Skills That Every Successful Business Owners Needs
- Advertise to Create a Successful Business
- Legitimate Internet Businesses: Get Successful Businesses Going as Marketing Affiliates
How To Lose Ten Pounds In Ten Days Begining Today The Easy Way
By: Dale Dupree | 02/01/2010workout plan that will take off that extra few pounds, ten to be exact in ten days as long as you follow it daily. And as always while on this program be sure to get at least six to eight hours of sleep nightly.Day 1 through Day 10 is doing the same ro
Why A Dusty Old Push Bike Should Not Stop Your New Year's Resolution!
By: Audra Starkey | 02/01/2010At the beginning of every New Year, millions of people around the world excitedly set out to achieve their 'New Year Resolutions'. You know what I mean, things like losing weight, getting fit and healthy, changing jobs, starting a business ... the list goes on.
Shamit Khemka – A Living Example of Perseverance
By: Anirban Bhattacharya | 02/01/2010As Walter Elliott famously quoted it, perseverance isn’t just about long races; it’s about many short races in a row. The words of Elliott seem to have inspired few of the most successful entrepreneurs of the contemporary world. One such example that’s perfectly fit for this context and that has just come to my mind is Shamit Khemka – the young entrepreneur.
The 100 Day Challenge Review Fit For You
By: Jim Grapple | 02/01/2010The parts of the 100 day challenge are depicted within this article. If you want to know what this program can offer you then you need to find out more by this article.
New Years Resolutions - A New Decade
By: Sylvia Behnish | 01/01/2010The start of a new year gives each of us the opportunity to be reborn. We can put the old year behind us and start out fresh with new ideas, enthusiasm and promises – to ourselves and to others as we sit down to compose our New Years Resolutions. When it is a new decade, it seems to be an even bigger opportunity to get rid of old habits and to improve ourselves. How can we best do this?
Make New Year's Resolutions That Count
By: Mark Mcewan | 01/01/2010Each year we all make new year’s resolutions to change things about our lives. This year make a new year’s resolution that will have a real impact on the quality of your life. Make a resolution that will have a positive, concrete result.
The Power Of Goal Setting
By: Nathan Amaral | 31/12/2009Goal setting is putting inspiration down on paper. Seeing your deepest desires laid out in black and white helps inspire you to make it real. It stirs a desire deep within to bring your dreams to life. It also helps make your goals concrete, and more substantial.
How to Keep New Year Resolutions
By: Raw Habits | 31/12/2009Simple tips that help you keep New Year Resolutions and commit to long term change. Includes helpful PDF downloads.
How Leaders Create Stories to Achieve Success
By: Darrell L. Browning | 10/07/2009 | LeadershipStorytelling--even while generally explaining something to another person--nearly always involves painting a picture with words. Effective leaders can learn how to create stories that others will actually want to listen too.
How To Keep An Office Party From Becoming A Lawsuit
By: Darrell L. Browning | 20/02/2009 | Human ResourcesEverything was going so great at the going-away office party until a slap-in-the-face permeated the festivities followed by loud, angry shouting. Think it can't happen at your place? To ensure it does not, try these preventative measures.
The Courage Of Your Convictions
By: Darrell L. Browning | 20/02/2009 | LeadershipReal leaders have the courage of their convictions. This article explains some essential leadership ingredients and where courage comes into play. Real leaders aren't the ones who have the gumption to layoff employees. Real leaders are the ones who get up in front of those employees and explain why.
How Doctors Deliver Bad News
By: Darrell L. Browning | 20/02/2009 | LeadershipDoctors are used to delivering bad news. To counteract your fears, they work at becoming skilled communicators. Chief executive officers, leaders of business units and others could benefit from this knowledge. This article details how how doctors communicate effectively when delivering bad news.
So, How Are Those New Year's Resolutions Going?
By: Darrell L. Browning | 19/02/2009 | Goal SettingDon't be dispirited or give up on change should your resolve falter. First, recognize that most human beings improve with tiny steps--not grandiose resolutions. This doesn't mean making resolutions is worthless--far from it.
How To Avoid Coaching Mistakes
By: Darrell L. Browning | 17/02/2009 | Team BuildingPrior to coaching direct reports it's often a good idea to take a good look at the truck in your rearview mirror-- because that may be how your direct reports see you if you are making common coaching mistakes.
How To Delegate Effectively
By: Darrell L. Browning | 17/02/2009 | LeadershipManagers often get in the way of their own success. Call it what you will, but sometimes a manager can be his or her own worst enemy. The problem usually lies in an inability to delegate work to others. If this sounds like you, reading this article will help.
How to Protect the Culture of Your Company
By: Darrell L. Browning | 15/02/2009 | Human ResourcesCompany cultures are like church: no one wants it to change. This is true in family-owned businesses as well as those who have merged, grown or otherwise changed. But how do human resource executives protect the very culture that made the company or organization successful in the first place? This article explains how to do just that.