Whether you want to develop and implement a new marketing plan or learn to play the piano in 1999, here’s a four step prescription for designing New Years "resolutions" so that they have a good chance of becoming a reality. 

Background

The key to getting yourself to accomplish a goal - like changing an old habit or learning a new one- is to understand that most of the decisions you make are influenced by your internal representation of past events in your life.  That is, the way your brain interprets those events will either move you forward toward achievement or feed the fear that holds you back (and holds the old "habit" in place).

You can "train" your brain to recall and interpret past events so that they are more supportive to your future actions and meeting your desires.  If it is difficult for you to see this as a possibility, remember that at one time the scientific community believed that heart rate was autonomic, and therefore it could not be controlled consciously.  We now know that heart rate can be controlled using a technique called biofeedback.   With knowledge and practice (like with biofeedback) you can have a tremendous influence over the way your brain processes/interprets incoming information and past memories.  And by learning to effectively stimulate pleasure centers in your brain that you associate with the things you enjoy, you can tap into creative resources to take on new challenges more effectively and with more enjoyment.  

Every success, whether small or large, teaches lessons and leaves the lasting "taste" for further accomplishment.  These lessons can be applied in the future, even if you don't know exactly how you will achieve what you desire.  You must reference positive internal resources to overcome the fear that you can not achieve what you desire. Think of it as teaching your brain to synthesize your own recreational pharmaceuticals on demand to feel good about what you wish to do while you are doing it! (Instead of waiting until the goal is achieved.) This is NOT a method for changing reality, it is only "rewiring" your brain to learn more effectively from experience in a way that gets you where you want to go! 

The steps (primarily visualization techniques) outlined below may seem unusual; however, they have been shown to be extremely effective in helping individuals quickly tap into and reinforce the internal resources they need to achieve what they desire. This specific set of exercises was developed by the author, however, the concepts used are based upon the principles of Neurolinguistic programming (NLP, Bandler and Grinder), Psychocybernetics (C. Maxwell Maltz), Neuroassociative Conditioning (Anthony Robbins) and the book Maximum Achievement by Brian Tracy. (References).