New Year’s resolution versus a change revolution
Can you believe that we are at the end of another year? So how many of your goals have you achieved this year? Or were you too busy to set any? You had one thing in common with Oprah Winfrey, Richard Branson and Helen Zille: you had exactly the same amount of time handed to you this year.
Some will say goodbye to this year victoriously, and others as victims. The outcome of the decisions you made this year has resulted in your current position. It will still be your decision whether you stay there next year or move on.

I am certain that no individual makes a New Year’s resolution to fail. We all want to ACHIEVE. None of us wants to add 20 kilogrammes to an already bulging waistline, drown in debt, get fired, or lose health and vitality.

There is one thing that will help us make a success in the new year: we do not need another resolution, we need a revolution – a revolution in our thinking and beliefs, which will cause a change in our behaviour.

Healthy behaviour and a positive attitude result in quality decisions. A quality decision is the key to prosperous transformation. It is all
about change!

There is a formula for measuring the chance of change. It is the DxVxP formula, and is best expressed as follows:

DxVxP>C

D = Your current level of dissatisfaction (10 means highly dissatisfied and 0 not at all)

V = Vision of the future state (10 means you have a clear vision that has been written down and communicated, 0 means you have no idea)

P = Plan (10 means you have a documented list of SMART goals and actions to achieve this vision, 0 means you have no clue as to where to start)

Rate your own chance of change on something that you really want to change in the new year by doing the following:

Step 1: Give a score to D, V and P

Step 2: Multiply DxVxP

Step 3: Divide your answer by 10 to find the percentage

Step 4 : Identify the areas that have the lowest score

Step 5: If your score is hopelessly low – before you take your Prozac, find a good coach!

Example:

I am on the verge of bankruptcy!

My D = 10, V = 2, P = 4

Chance of Change = 10x2x4 = 80

Therefore my percentage chance of change = 8%

Since my score is so low, the ultimate cost of change will be high. My action will be to clarify my vision, write it down and work on my plan as a matter of urgency.

If you score a zero for any factor, your result will be zero chance of change.

I have found that the higher the score, the more difficult change becomes. It is the last 20% of change that is most difficult. Even if you had all scores of 8, the percentage chance of change would still be only 51%. To make a change from an 8 to 9 or 10 will require great effort.

Most projects fail just before breakthrough. If you are at the toughest point in your life, you are probably close to breakthrough. The start and end of any change process is the hardest.

When the percentage is low, the cost of change is very high. It will cost you more because you have so much more to do to increase your score.

You are about to be handed another year; do not wait for the new year to make a resolution – start a change revolution right now. It is this very moment that is your present – a gift; do not waste it by waiting for next year.

Start a DxVxP revolution today by doing the following:

1. Identify the issue you want to change in the new year.

2. Complete a DxVxP.

3. Write down your vision (or draw a picture). Be sure why you want to change this, and what personal end values will be fulfilled if you were successful. Focus on what you want to be, not want you want to have.

4. Write out your SMART goals and break them down into small action steps.

5. Measure and monitor your results.

6. Make yourself accountable to a friend or colleague.

7. Celebrate and reward yourself for goals achieved.

8. Have fun – it is your life, after all.

Charles White

For more information and how to use this tool more effectively, as well as other coaching tools, contact White via e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.mbcint.com.

White is a director with Mentors and Business Coaches International, and is responsible for the training and professional development of coaches internationally. He is part of The Mufasa Coaching Practice

(www.mufasacoaching.com).