Football, Frogs & New Year Resolutions
When it comes to New Years Resolutions and other goals…are you like a frog on a log?
Mark Feldman & Michael Spratt posed this question at the opening of their book Five Frogs on a Log:
Five frogs are on a log. Four decide to jump off. How many are left?
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Your answer?
At a gathering of twenty-five adults and one child – I posed the frog question.
Five frogs are on a log. Four decide to jump off. How many are left?
The answer came quickly from all of the adults.
“One,” they said.
The child, a five year old, sitting cross legged on the floor, quietly raised her hand.
“Yes, do you have a different answer?” I asked.
She shyly said, “I think the answer is five. You said they decided to jump. But you didn’t say they jumped.”
Why does this happen? Why do we decide to do something and then never make the jump? Many possible reasons. Fear. Conflicting goals and priorities. Lack of time.
Here is an important question for you. Have you really decided you want to do “this thing”, whatever it is? Is “this thing” really important to you? Does it fit with your other goals and priorities?
Once you are sure “this thing” is what you want…that you really want to jump off the log…put this seven-step process to work. It works. As long as you make a plan and work the plan.
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A few comments on each step.
Step #1: Write it down. Be specific. Writing it down is a form of commitment. If you aren’t specific, you won’t know whether you are making it or not. Before moving on…are you sure this is something you want? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?
Step #2: Break into small, measurable parts. This is a must. Big goals seem unachievable. Bite size pieces seem more doable.
Step #3: Plan for setbacks. Many plans have been sacked by illness, traffic jams, car trouble, broken equipment, etc. Make your plan with these possibilities in mind. My colleague, Jim Heavner calls it “wholesale/retail goal setting”. It could also be called a “fudge factor”.
Step #4: Monitor progress. Measurable parts are easy to monitor. Not monitoring progress toward goals is where many people go wrong. Out of sight, out of mind. Or as my colleague Ty Lindberg says, “If you want results, measure it!”
Step #5: Coach/get coached accordingly. By measuring all along the way, there is a chance to change strategies, get more training, get more help, etc.
Step #6: Celebrate. Not just at the end but throughout the effort.
Step #7: Evaluate. Time is up. Whether you made it or not, take time to evaluate. What went well? What didn’t go well? Do this with everyone involved in the effort. It will help all prepare for the next goal.
These seven steps if applied to any goal, whether you are the sole goal seeker or a member of a team or the leader of a group that is going after a goal, this process will help you make it. Will you reach all goals? No. But there will be more victories using this process than not using it. That is certain.
A good way to see these steps in action is to look at the game of football. The comparison below is simplistic, yet it clearly demonstrates the importance of each step to the game of football, thereby showing the importance in other pursuits as well.
First of all, the coaches have already determined positions (job descriptions) for each player, the place where he can contribute most to the team. Each player practices kicking, running, passing, tackling, blocking or whatever his special contribution to the team. And the team runs plays over and over and over again.
What is the specific goal of a football team? To win the game. That’s the goal of the game itself.
Each team will have different goals based on their league of play. Is your team playing in the front yard after Thanksgiving dinner and just hoping not to get injured? Or is this a just-for-fun office intramural team? A college team with NCAA aspirations? Or an NFL team going for the Super Bowl title?
Obviously – the latter will measure, monitor, coach, etc more intensely than the front yard team.
What are the small, measurable parts? Points, touchdowns, extra points, field goals, safeties, yards, downs, complete passes, tackles, blocks, quarters, minutes, etc.
How do they monitor? The scoreboard shows points, yards, downs, and time left. Stat sheets reveal points, rushing and passing yards (both attempted and completed), kicking yards, etc. for each player and for the team as a whole. Plays and coaching strategies are devised before the game and then revised based on the stats – of both teams. Spectators look at the scoreboard constantly for the score and the time left – and comment or cheer accordingly.
How does the team plan for setbacks? Several players are groomed and ready for each position. Contingency plays are ready to go. Time outs and halftime give coaches and players time to adjust strategy.
What, when, how do the coaches coach? They coach based on performance…results which are shown on the scoreboard, the stat sheets and the video. They coach to improve skills and performance. They do this in huddles, time outs, half time and from the sidelines too.
How does the team celebrate? Players cheer from the sidelines. They are supported by the band, cheerleaders and fans…while winning AND while losing. Celebration continues in the locker room and in the news.
How is the team evaluated? First, there is the locker room talk. Win or lose. The coaches have some comments about what went well and not so well. They form some strategy for the next games and practices.
Run through the same questions for basketball, soccer, cross country, track, tennis, golf…any sport for that matter, and you will see the importance of each step.
How do you apply the seven steps to YOUR resolutions?
Before you even start, go back to that question about jumping off this log. Is this really something you want?
If yes, use the steps to make a plan.
Then JUMP off that log and work the plan!!
Happy 2001!
P.S. In case you need some models and ideas, see the four examples below.
Example #1: So…you are in sales and you want to sell more??!!
Step #1: Write it down. Be specific. Sell $20,000 worth of “whatever” this month. (Note that there is a dollar amount and a time deadline).
Step #2: Break it into small, measurable parts. To do this, you need to sell $5,000 per week or $1,000 per day. In order to plan for setbacks (step #3), you need to increase your goal to say $7,500 per week or $1,500 per day. To do that you will need to make 30 presentations each week or 6 per day. Knowing that you may have as many as one cancellation per day, you would be wise to make 7 appointments per day or 35 per week.
Note: You have calculated your close rate to be 30% and your average sale to be $750. 30% of 30 calls is 10 sales closed @$750 each equals $7,500.
Step #3: Plan for set backs. Covered above.
Step #4: Monitor progress. At the end of the day and week, you take a time out to evaluate. You do this by filling out this chart, which you have posted on your door.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Total | |
| Appointment #2
#3 #4 #5 #6 #7 |
Eds Shoes | |||||
| Barber Jo | ||||||
| Pet Store | ||||||
| Go Gas | ||||||
| Travel E | ||||||
| Mall | ||||||
| Tire Store | ||||||
$’s Sold Today
Goal $1,500 |
$1,000 | |||||
| $’s Left to Make Goal for Week
of $7,500 |
$6,500 | |||||
| $’s Left to Make Goal for Month of $20,000 | $19,000 |
Step #5: Coach accordingly. What went well? What didn’t go so well? What will you do differently next week? Adjust your strategy the way a football coach would. Monday is filled in as an example. Examine the areas that were missed. What were the obstacles? What can be done to overcome them?
Step #6: Celebrate! This is easy. You have told your manager about your aggressive goal and he/she comes to admire your chart daily. You have planned to use your extra commission money to take your family on a ski trip out west. So you post a ski scene from Vail beside your sales chart. Your family knows about this and they enthusiastically cheer you along. All of this support keeps you focused and motivated to reach this goal.
Step #7: Evaluate. Time is up. Game is over. Did you make it? Yeah! No? Whatever the outcome…evaluate. What went well? What didn’t go so well? What would you like to do differently next time? What can you do to get ready for next month? Ski season isn’t over yet!
Example #2: We are making sesame chicken for Natalie’s wedding reception (or any other seemingly huge insurmountable production oriented project).
This one sounds a little silly but it is a real life example. The chicken was a special request (by the bride) for the wedding reception. The caterer couldn’t do this particular recipe so friends of the bride decided to do it as a special treat for her. The same “plan” could be applied to most any large production project.
Step #1: Write it down. Be specific. Prepare 100 pounds of sesame chicken in 4 hours.
Step #2: Break it into small, measurable parts. Prepare 25 pounds per hour or 6 pounds every 15 minutes.
Step #3: Plan for setbacks. It HAS to be done in 6 hours. So they set up a plan to get done in 4 hours…plenty of room to spare.
Step #4: Monitor. Set a timer every 15 minutes.
Step #5: Coach accordingly. Based on progress.
Step #6: Celebrate. With every pound complete, they celebrate with a “1 pound down only 99 to go!” cheer.
Step #7: Evaluate. Not much need for evaluation here since the project would not be repeated (at least they hoped not!)
Example #3: So…you want to lose weight?!
Step #1: Write it down. Be specific. Lose 10 pounds by March 15.
Step #2: Break it into small, measurable parts. Lose 2 pounds per week, eating 1700 calories per day and exercising 4 hours per week.
Step #3 : Plan for setbacks. 2 pounds per week would mean, you would lose 12 in all. So you have a small “fudge factor”.
Step #4: Monitor with this chart (continue chart until March 15). Many find it helpful to keep a food diary as well.
Date |
Weight Goal 140 |
Pounds Lost (2/week) |
Calories Today
(1700 Goal) |
Exercise (4 hrs/week) |
| January 8 | 150 | 0 | 1800 | Walk 1 hour |
| January 9 | 150 | 0 | 1700! | None |
| January 10 | 150 | 0 | 1700! | Walk 1 hour |
| January 11 | 149 | 1 | 1800 | ½ hour weights |
| January 12 | 149 | 1 | 1700! | None |
| January 13 | 148 | 2 | 1700! | ½ hour weights |
| January 14 | 148 | 2 | 1700! | Walk 1 hour |
Total for week |
148! | 2! | 4 hours! |
Step #5: Coach accordingly. Review performance daily (or at least weekly). What worked? What didn’t work? If you didn’t make the weight loss goal or the calories goal or the exercise goal…don’t give up!!! Just note the gap, review the reasons for the gap, review the reasons this goal is important to you, change strategies and go forward with the next week.
Step #6: Celebrate! You could reward yourself with a cone of frozen yogurt (or other treat) each weekend IF you have made your goals. At the end you could celebrate by buying a new outfit.
Step #7: Evaluate. At the end of each week, review your performance. What worked? What didn’t work? If you didn’t make the weight loss goal or the calories goal or the exercise goal…don’t give up!!! Just note the gap, review the reasons for the gap, review the reasons this goal is important to you, change strategies and go forward with the next week…just like a football team preparing for the next game.
Example #4: So…you want to exercise more?
Step #1: Write it down. Be specific. Do 3 hours of exercise each week (1 hour of weight training and 2 hours of aerobic exercise).
Step #2: Break it into small, measurable parts. Four days per week, walk or run for 1/2 hour. Twice per week, do ½ hour of weight training. Every Sunday night, schedule these times on the calendar just like a doctor appointment or an important meeting at work.
Step #3: Plan for setbacks. On the calendar and on this chart, are scheduled ½ hour more than needed for both aerobic and weights. You can miss one and still make your goal.
Step #4: Monitor by putting this chart on the refrigerator door. Use stars or checks to show accomplishments!
Aerobic Exercise
Goal – 2 hrs/week |
Weights
Goal – 1 hr/week |
Total
Goal – 3 hrs/week |
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| Scheduled | DONE!!! | Scheduled | DONE!!! | ||
| Monday | AM – Walk ½ hour | ||||
| Tuesday | PM – ½ hour workout | ||||
| Wednesday | AM – Walk ½ hour | ||||
| Thursday | PM – ½ hour workout | ||||
| Friday | AM – Walk ½ hour | ||||
| Saturday | AM – Walk ½ hour | ||||
| Sunday | PM – Walk ½ hour | PM – ½ hour workout | |||
Total |
2 ½ hours | 1 ½ hour | |||
Step #4: Coach accordingly. Is it working? No? Don’t give up. Why isn’t it working? Try another time of day. Try shorter but more frequent exercise sessions. Why is this important to you?
Step #5: Celebrate. At the end of every week that the goal is made, treat yourself to some French fries!
Step #6: Evaluate. Keep on monitoring as in step #4 above. Eventually this will become a normal part of life and charting will not be necessary. However, it is normal to get busy and get out of the habit. If that happens, get the chart back out. It will help you re-establish the habit.
copyright 2001 – Jan Bolick
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