Committing Your Kühl 2022!
2021 will soon be in the past as 2022 is almost upon us. As the year changes, many of us will embark on our resolutions of completing a variety of new goals or overcoming challenges. Some of us will stay committed till the end while other may wane. However, what can you do to empower yourself to ensure you find your kühl?
If you guessed kühl translates to cool, you are correct. The reason for using this word in the title is reminiscent to a goal I set for myself at the beginning of 2021. My goal was to re-learn German as I spoke it as a military brat living in Germany. Kühl also means “calculating person” as I wanted and continue to want to be calculating and intentional in my pivoting steps forward.
January of 2021 started off strong in going through the German lessons but as the months passed, so did my efforts in sticking to the goal. Looking back, I learned some things that could help you in identifying and committing to what you want to accomplish in 2022.
· What’s Your WIIFM? — So, ask yourself, what’s in it for me? Many of us pick goals based on how we feel and just like going to the grocery store hungry, we fill our cart to the brim. The question is were you intentional or impulsive as you went through the aisles selecting your groceries? The same thing applies to selecting what you want to accomplish. For me, it was about reconnecting to a skill that I lost. So yes, be hungry but, be intentional in what you select. Most importantly, what is the value proposition of what you want to accomplish.
· 21/90 Rule — Dr. Maxwell Maltz was a cosmetic surgeon who wrote a self-help book called Psycho Cybernetics, A New Way to Get More Living Out of Life in the 1960’s. In the book he described something called the 21/90 Rule which engages one to stay committed to a decision based on building a habit. In this case you commit to a personal or professional goal for 21 straight days. After three weeks, most would create a habit where you can continue to engage it for another 90 days. This rule has been beneficial for many as it provides milestones in following up in how the goal is being accomplished. So, lean in and start off with the first seven days of the 21 and then the next.
· Know Yoü — We all have our challenges when it comes to procrastination as I am challenged by this every day. Knowledge is truly powerful as I know what triggers my procrastination and what I need to do to be proactive in keeping it at bay. There is now research indicating that one can overcome their procrastination through emotional intelligence. In essence, your current mood in relationship to a particular task will determine whether you complete it or not. If balancing your bank account is something you keep putting off it is suggested that you name that feeling / mood. Engage it with an open mind-set as to what is keeping you from accomplishing it. Also, remember the WIIFM in the task which is of course having money in the bank. Remember to simply lean-in into steps and you will begin to see that mood change from no to go.
Start your 2022 intentionally by committing to your kühl. You can do this by knowing your WIIFM, establishing your habits, and building your self-knowledge of what does or does not motivate you. Even though I was not able to complete my German lessons, I was still able to make some headway. So not a failing moment but one of continuous learning as I am getting myself ready to re-engage for 2022. So, get your kühl on and share with us on what you have planned in the coming year.