By Julie A. Baylor, CHA

 

When New Year’s Eve comes around this week, many Americans will make resolutions for the New Year related to physical fitness: losing weight, getting in shape, cutting out things we know are bad for us like sugar, fats, and smoking. On a personal level, we know what we should be doing to get in shape, and most people agree that these are positive goals that lead to a longer, healthier and happier life. 

 

In 2011, I want to challenge business leaders to do the same for their companies – get your business in shape! Sustainability is business fitness.   Make a commitment to business fitness by adopting the policies and practices that will ensure a stronger, healthier and happier workplace. 

 

But let’s not be like so many Americans who give up on their resolutions before they are achieved. When people fail to achieve their resolution goals, it is usually for one of the following reasons:

-          Their goals were unrealistic

-          They did not define their goals specifically enough

-          They did not establish an accurate means of measurement

-          They did not make themselves accountable to anyone

But the number one reason many fail is because they simple didn’t take action. 

 

In the video How to Achieve Your New Year’s Resolution in 59 Seconds, Professor Richard Wiseman explains that only 10% of the 5,000 people he studied achieved their New Year’s Resolution goals, and he gives the 5 simple principles these people used to succeed. These 5 steps will help you achieve business sustainability as well:

1.       Break the goal into a series of smaller steps – make it manageable.

2.       Tell people what you are trying to achieve – become accountable. 

3.       Remind yourself of the benefits of attaining your goal – watch A Business Case for Being Green.

4.       Reward yourself each time your conquer one of the steps – celebrate each success along the way.

5.       Map out your progress as you go – just like any journey, it is good to be reminded of where you came from, where you are going, and how far you’ve come. 

 

Understand that, just like physical fitness, business fitness will take work, discipline and a realistic plan of action. And, just like physical fitness, business fitness is worth the effort! 

 

Julie A. Baylor, CHA, LEED GA