#69: Why New Year’s Resolutions Don’t Work (and How This Connects to Coaching)

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Did you know that only 9% of American complete their New Year's resolutions? In this episode, Becca shares the challenges and strategies of maintaining this year's New Year's resolutions and discusses the strong connections to coaching and leading in your schools. Here are some key takeaways:

Challenges with New Year's Resolutions:

1. Size of Changes: Most resolutions fail due to setting overly ambitious goals. Becca emphasizes the effectiveness of small, incremental steps over grand overhauls.
2. Lack of Connection to "Why": Resolvers often focus on societal expectations ("shoulds") rather than internal values. This applies to educators too; unless they are deeply connected to the purpose behind change, sustainability is unlikely.
3. Readiness for Change: Understanding the stages of change, Becca points out that resolutions often fail because individuals aren't in the action stage. The same principle applies to educators, and recognizing their readiness is crucial.
4. Oversimplification: Oversimplifying the change process and neglecting to anticipate obstacles can hinder resolution success. The importance of identifying potential hurdles is emphasized in both personal and professional contexts.
5. Environmental Impact: Physical surroundings play a significant role in sustaining change. Applying this to education, alterations in the classroom environment may be necessary for successful implementation of new teaching strategies.
6. Connection to Future Self: Research suggests that a strong connection to the future self increases willpower and self-control. This principle is relevant for educators and students alike in envisioning the long-term impact of current actions.
7. Lack of Accountability: Lack of public commitment and accountability often leads to resolution abandonment. Creating a culture of accountability is crucial in educational settings for sustained professional development.

Listen in the learn about concrete solutions to not only keeping your New Year's resolutions but also applying those startegies to sustain change in classrooms.

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