Selling Yourself on Lifestyle Change: How to Make Your Resolutions Stick

It’s that time of year again – the time when parties and holidays are over, and we try to commit ourselves to a new set of resolutions. According to research, 85% of these resolutions involve some element of lifestyle change, such as weight loss, exercise, better nutrition, improved life-balance or more sleep. However, by June, 90% of people abandon their resolutions, with 50% breaking them by the end of January.

So why do we struggle so much to keep our resolutions? One reason is that simply saying we want to change isn’t enough. We need to convince ourselves of the need to make a change and create a plan with support and accountability. Selling ourselves on lifestyle change is an art form, and we can learn from legendary master of persuasion, Dan Kennedy.

In his book, The Ultimate Sales Letter, Kennedy reveals a highly-effective 3-step sales process that we can adapt to sell ourselves on lifestyle change:

1. Problem: Identify the problem or need that is not being satisfied
2. Agitate: Stir up the problem to make it more present, inflamed, and urgent
3. Solve: Present a solution – a way out of the pain

Let’s dive deeper into each step to see how we can apply it to our own lives.

Step 1: Define the Problem

Rather than just resolving to change some behavior or accomplish some goal, take a step back and define the problem that you are trying to solve by accomplishing your goal or resolution. For example, perhaps you want to rebuild your self-confidence by losing weight or get off medication for high blood pressure that’s making you feel sick and tired. By defining the real underlying problem, you can better sell yourself on the need for change.

Step 2: Agitate

Once you’ve defined the problem, it’s time to agitate it. This involves facing the present as it truly is and visualizing the future if you stay on your current course. While this process can be uncomfortable, it’s a crucial motivation to take action. For example, in the case of rebuilding self-confidence by losing weight, we might ask what’s important about looking good and feeling good, what would happen if we didn’t lose weight, and how our lives will be affected 5, 10, or 20 years down the road if we don’t change course.

Step 3: Solve

Now that you’ve defined the problem and agitated it, it’s time to solve it. This involves recommitting to your specific goal and creating a plan of action. Take a calendar and set a start date, then write down the exact actions you need to take every day for the first 30 days to make your goal a reality. This might include finding a gym, seeing a nutritionist, finding a therapist, or joining a team. Finally, share your plan with someone close to you who can serve as a form of accountability.

By using this classic three-step method to sell yourself on lifestyle change, you can make sure that this year’s resolutions are different from next year’s. Remember, selling yourself on change is an art form, and it takes time and effort. But with commitment and the right mindset, you can achieve your goals and create the life you want.

In conclusion, if you’re serious about making a change in your lifestyle, you need to start by convincing yourself of the need for change. Define the problem, agitate it, and then solve it. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it, and by following this process, you can make sure that your resolutions stick this time around. So, get started today and achieve the lifestyle you’ve always wanted.