In the 1960’s, a study was done on the campus of Yale University. The subjects were Yale seniors who were educated about and encouraged to get a tetanus shot. Most of the students were convinced by the lecture that they needed to get the shot. But only 3% actually went and got the shot.
Another group of students were given the same lecture, but they were also given a copy of the campus map with the location of the health center circled. Then they were asked to look at their weekly schedules, make a plan for when they would go and take the shot, and look at the map and decide what route they would take. 28% of that control group got the shot. That is nine times as many! Why the radical increase? Because they identified how, when, and where?
I'm guessing all of us need to make a change going into the New Year. You need to stop doing something or start doing something. You need to do something less or do something more. But I'm guessing about 3% of us will make the change because we never identify how, when, and where!
So here's a plan. It's as simple as 1,2,3.
#1 Look at the calendar and schedule an hour between now and January 1st. Put it on your calendar. Make an appointment with yourself. It may be in the morning or in the evening. It may be at your house or a coffeehouse. It may be on New Years Eve or New Years Day. Just set aside one hour.
#2 Spend an hour reflecting and praying. And here’s a suggestion. Think in categories. I think it helpful to think in these five categories: spiritual, relational, intellectual, emotional and physical. Do an honest self-assessment. And ask God to reveal the answer to this question: what change do I most need to make?
#3 Make the change. Call it a goal. Call it a New Year's Resolution. Call it whatever you want. The goal is to make a change that honors God. Here's a suggestion. Don't make ten resolutions! If you make lots of resolutions you'll probably keep none of them. In my experience, you need to make three or less. And I'd start with the spiritual category.
10 Comments:
Great insight! Thanks!
Good stuff. Thanks.
Thanks for the road map...
I've heard that story somewhere. Was it Malcolm Gladwell. Anyway, it's good to think about. Thanks!
You know, that closely relates to what Julia Cameron says in her book "The Artist's Way." She talks about making appointments with yourself and honoring those appointments because it bolsters you in a deeper way. Thank you for taking a concept that we all "know" and making it tangible. Lord knows it would continue to bounce around in our heads w/out translating it into an action.
the first two paragraphs can apply to teaching and preaching
The Yale study sounds a lot like the new book "Influencer." People don't act until their behavior changes. Their behavior will change when they buy into what you are saying and know what to do.
Hey Mark,
Very insightful post! One problem that I have had in the past is the execution of vision. Oftentimes, it goes from revelation, to the brain, then straight into the ground. Its true, we need those constant reminders, be it an accountability partner, note-to-self, or an alarm on our phone! Thak you for the wisdom! Much needed!
-Anthony
Mark-
I'm friends with Stu Hodges (Waters Edge Church). I stumbled across your Blog by looking at some of the pix he posted. I LIKE IT - MOST CREATIVE!
Anyway, I'm gonna take this illustration and share it with some guys I'm discipling - very good!
Mark,
I love your posts on goal setting...they are always some of my favorites. This blog post challenges. Thanks for sharing. May 2009 be a better year than 2008!
Keep it up!
Chad
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