NBC News reports: “[Research shows] that only about 8 percent of people actually achieve their New Year’s goals,” said Dr. John Agwunobi chief health and nutrition officer for Herbalife. “After the holiday tradition of over-indulgence, we set out to rid our cabinets of junk food, hit the gym and start fresh, [but] some people tackle the problem too aggressively, with overly restrictive diets, or exercise regimes that they can’t commit to, and soon give up their efforts.”

Seeing this report provides me with the opportunity to share one an impactful discovery from a small book with a huge message, published in 2016 by Michael Allen, 5% MORE: Making small changes to achieve extraordinary results  This self-help book applies to nearly every situation you can name and provides a simple approach to achieve success.

Here’s what  Michael recommends:Rather than trying yet again for an aggressive New Year’s Resolution, try a different approach for 2017.  Look at something that you wish to change or improve. Rather than tackling it in a big way, tackle it in a small way.  That’s right, think of the smallest step that you can make in that direction.  Set a goal of moving the needle by 5%.

Here’s an  example. If you want to personally greet each of the 20 people in your department each morning – to convey that you see and appreciate them as individual members of your team, start with a 5% commitment and greet just one person each day.  Do that for a week. Then, increase your commitment by another 5%. That would mean that you would greet two of your staff each morning. On the third week, increase another 5% and greet three of your staff each morning. By the end of the first day of the third week, you will have greeted each staff member one time.  And by continuing to increase your commitment by only 5% each week, within a few months, you will have created a habit for yourself that you automatically greet each of the 20 members of your staff with grace and style. You will have expanded your capacity and habit of greeting your staff in a manner that feels normal and right, not something that you have to drive yourself to accomplish. You will have achieved an extraordinary result that will have untold impact on your relationships with your team and the accomplishments of your department!

What dramatic change would you like to see for yourself in in 2024?  What would a 5% goal look like for you? Can you see yourself beginning small and building a habit slowly and surely?  Give it a try and let me know how it goes.