Resolutions in private and business life!

Resolutions in Private and Business Life: Good, but Not Good Enough

How to successfully realize resolutions and not have them on the list next year Many people set themselves a lot of goals at the beginning of this year - both in their private lives (more exercise, lose weight, quit smoking, etc.) and in business (introduce innovation in the market, better motivate or expand the team, or consistently manage difficult issues). But what about the sustainable implementation of these improvements? According to Wirtschaftswoche, in the first three months, half of the people stick to their personal resolutions, but only twelve percent achieve truly long-lasting implementation. In the professional sphere, very few resolutions are sustainably realized; for example, the Swiss Centre for Innovations in Learning at the University of St. Gallen estimates the implementation rate of training measures at only 23%. Trained change manager, coach, lecturer, and author Arndt Schmidtmayer helps you increase these percentages this year with the proven 4H model^© - without guaranteeing 100% implementation every time. Why do most change initiatives fail and how can we do better? Sustainable change in thinking and behavior is the biggest challenge in change initiatives, as confirmed by the IBM study on Change Management. So, how can I change my mindset and actions not just for a few weeks or months? Let's look at the four important phases of change: In the first phase, it is about thoroughly understanding the old and realistic new ways of thinking, behavior, or processes, including all consequences, early on (Brain or Stage H1). In the second stage, we must truly want to change (H2, the Heart) - and not just a little, e.g., because others are doing it. As change management expert John Kotter repeatedly emphasizes, all those affected must be involved and a sense of urgency must be created (the technical term is a "burning oil platform"). Where are the benefits of the new approach actually collectively developed? Often, these are presented from the top as fancy PowerPoint slides or, even "better," sent out more efficiently but not effectively via email. In a presentation or email, you cannot address individual concerns or fears. This is crucial to move to the next stage. In this third phase (Stage H3 - the Hand), we should take small steps to take initial steps. Taking on too much too quickly increases the likelihood of failure; after all, we didn't stand up and start running as toddlers, and at the age of 4, Albert Einstein couldn't even speak... Lastly, and most challenging, we must maintain the new way of thinking and behavior in the long term (Holding or H4). We need a professional relapse management to prevent our old habits or inner demons from regaining control. Initially, a realistically optimistic attitude is helpful, meaning, I should be aware in advance that not everything will work perfectly the first time and that failed attempts are part of the learning process. How can I apply these 4 steps in practice? Example 1 BUSINESSHow to Achieve More Sustainable and Measurable Results with Training and Coaching: According to the Institute for Economic Research, over two-thirds of German companies see a lack of training needs analysis as the main obstacle to further qualification projects. Therefore, both the clients and participants lack understanding (H1) and motivation (H2) to even book a trainer or coach, or in the workshop itself, there is often a lack of necessary involvement. It is also important to focus on implementation in the qualification modules, including practical relevance, group work, and individual to-do lists for participants (H3). These specific improvement measures (e.g., "I will use method/tool XY with customer Z") must then be monitored in the long term (H4) to ensure the transfer of success, for example, with learning partners, managers, or coaches. OR Example 2 BUSINESSHow to Better Manage Customer Complaints: In a specific project for an international major bank, the types of complaints and how they were previously unsatisfactorily handled for customers were first identified (H1). Based on the analysis results, concrete improvement measures were developed together with the affected employees (through crowd-sourcing and workshops with 60 representatives) who were genuinely committed to the solutions (H2). Then, specific implementation steps with the responsible parties and achievable timelines were defined and pursued, including important "quick wins," which are initial small improvement successes (H3). Finally, sufficient resources (especially time and money) were provided to ensure the sustainable implementation of the new complaint management system nationwide in all branches in Germany (H4). OR Example 1 PRIVATEEngaging in More Sports: First, it is important to understand why I haven't been doing enough of which sports, why I want to do more, and which ones are suitable for my physical condition and budget (not everyone enjoys triathlons or skiing) - this corresponds to Stage H1. Then, I should listen to my heart (H2) to find out what truly excites and brings me joy (jogging might be relatively easy, but does it fulfill me?). Once I have resolved my concerns (isn't it bad for my knee, back...), I need to take action and start (H3). While team sports can be challenging to fit into today's dynamic world with business trips, etc., having a fixed, binding schedule with others can help avoid postponing it to "tomorrow" repeatedly (H4). As Goethe said, "Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do." He just forgot about maintaining - maybe back then, in a relatively stable environment, it wasn't as challenging... Start now with this established four-stage change method and put your resolutions into action so they won't be on your list at the end of the year! We look forward to your feedback and success stories... ;-) Learn more about our Top100 Trainer Arndt Schmidtmayer here.