By Thomas Davis, CRNA, MAE, DNAP candidate

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Men’s natures are alike; it is their habits that separate them.

~ Confucius

Resolutions are intentions related to the changes that we desire in our personal lives and are often based on notions and emotions.  Being “a better person” is a nebulous term that means different things to different people.  Habits, by contrast, are observable behaviors that define us as individuals.  The transition to each new year encourages people to make resolutions; however, the reality is that good intentions come up empty when theoretical concepts about the person you want to be do not change the behavior of the person you are.  Resolutions seldom work because they are simply ideas, and ideas do not change behavior.  It is actual behavior in the form of habits that define us as individuals.

The key to personal change is in transforming the abstract concept of a better you into     observable, habitual behavior that will define you in the future.

The fields of neuro science and behavior science merge when addressing the issue of changing behavior.  Scientists affirm that when behavior is repeated, neural pathways (grooves) develop in the brain, and when new behavior is repeated frequently, it becomes a habit.  Christine Comaford, a behavior scientist who specializes in coaching CEOs to be more effective, states in Forbes.com, “First it’s key to know that neurons that fire together, wire together. This means to learn something new, to set a new habit in place, repetition is required. When you practice something deeply, intentionally, and with some element of struggle, a neural pathway is formed. Neurons are now firing together in a new sequence, and thus are wiring together as a collective.” This statement is great news for those who are willing to learn by repetition because the behavioral patterns we repeat most frequently are etched into our neural pathways. Neuro science presented in Psychology Today affirms that through repetition, it’s possible to form and maintain new habits.

Applying the wisdom of the neuroscience community allows you to convert the abstract concept of a New Year’s resolution into observable new behavioral habit.  Show your commitment to changing your behavior by signing a personal contract to follow three rules for 30 days.

1. Bring the desired change to mind and repeat the new behavior at least 5 times per day, every day, without exception.  You may not be able to go to the gym 5 times per day but you can bring fitness to mind and take time to stretch.  The change you desire must be etched in your brain at least 5 times per day.
2. Prioritize the repeated behavior, especially if it’s difficult or inconvenient. Let nothing deter your effort.
3. Repeat the new behavior with intensity, constantly visualizing yourself as successfully practicing the desired behavior.

Rather than seeking a total overhaul of yourself, select one behavior and use a 30-Day Challenge to make meaningful change.  Every time you duplicate the new behavior, the neural pathway becomes stronger and over time the new behavior will become your default action. When the new behavior becomes a habit, do a self-assessment, then select a second behavior that you want to change and start another 30-DC.

To get started, below is a list of categories and possible resolutions that are crying out to be included in a 30-day challenge. Select one, follow the rules above, faithfully complete the challenge, realize the results and celebrate success. If none of these bullets hits the mark, come up with your own idea and pull the trigger.  The goal is to implement the 30-day plan, alter neural pathways and build a new habit.

• Personal health
  • Exercise 20-60 minutes per day.
  • Commit to a healthy, plant-based diet.
  • Restrict/eliminate one negative food such as sugar, caffeine or alcohol.
• Professional development
  • Learn a skill that will enhance your work performance.
  • Learn key words in a language spoken by your international clients.
  • Write in a journal daily.
  • Select a topic and read one pertinent blog article per day.
• Time management
  • Limit social media to 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening and SET A TIMER.
  • Make a daily list of realistic “must do” items and don’t stop doing until they’re done.
  • Set a personal boundary, ie turn off electronics at a specific time in the evening and go to bed at a time that ensures a minimum of 7 hours of sleep.
• Workspace at work and at home
  • Organize and keep everything in its place.
  • De-clutter and do not leave the workspace until clutter is cleared
  • Set aside one item per day to donate and do it.
  • Give away or trash one item daily.
• Social interactions
  • Speak to at least one stranger daily.
  • Once a week, extend an invitation to an acquaintance to meet for coffee with the intent of learning new things about the person
  • Send a thank you email or text to at least one person per day.
  • Give a sincere compliment to at least one person per day.
• Financial
  • Stop eating out.
  • Log all money that is spent during the month…no exceptions.

We are counting down the days until we count down the final seconds as the ball drops.  Rather than experiencing another year with good intentions in January that end up as February failures, try a using a new method for building new habits.  Combine the wisdom of the neuro and behavior science communities with your personal tenacity to commit, and follow through and enjoy lasting results that improve your leadership and last a lifetime.  Using your new neural grooves, get into a groove that will set the stage for a successful 2019.  Happy New Year!

“You can do anything you decide to do.  The most difficult thing is the decision to act; the rest is merely tenacity.”

~Amelia Earhart

Tom is a noted author, frequently requested speaker, and leadership consultant