Recently I read this quote about decision making and with the new year being right around the corner I began thinking about New Years Resolutions and why so many people fail to make them happen and how it also relates to career mapping.
It really does boil down to taking decisive action.

A real decision is measured by the fact that you've taken a new action.
If there's no action, you haven't truly decided.
Tony Robbins

For many, the decision is more about making the resolution and less about making the behavior or life adjustments necessary to truly create change in their lives and their careers.
So let's take a look at what an effective career resolution looks like.

• Be specific and targeted with your decisions.
  You can't make "pie in the sky" types of resolutions.
  If you have decided you want to get a promotion this year, then you need to also create an action plan to make it happen.
  
• Break down the big picture into manageable steps.
  Most big changes only come about in baby steps.
  By focusing on these smaller steps, you are more likely to achieve big changes.
  
• Take one step at a time.
  Once you have outlined the steps needed to get the results you want, you need to tackle one step at a time.
  Master one before moving on to the next.
  
• Set a deadline for completion.
  When setting up your action plan, you need to include a timetable for each action.
  Otherwise, human nature will kick in and allow you to procrastinate on completing the necessary tasks.
  
• Hold yourself accountable.
  We are programed to resist change.
  It is more comfortable to stagnate.
  If you have missed a deadline you have set out for yourself, it is time to take a look at why and how you could do things differently to make sure you succeed.
  Do not lay the blame on anyone else or make excuses.
  You are the master of your own destiny and therefore you are also responsible for your own failures.
  
• Learn from your mistakes.
  We all hit bumps in the road.
  What is important is to learn from them and make adjustments that will allow you to overcome the obstacles in your plans.
  
• Be committed to your career decisions.
  Picking yourself up and getting back on track when you hit an obstacle is important.
  This is a critical step.
  If you don't, it is at this stage that many people abandon their dreams and goals and just give up.
  Make sure you plan ahead for these miss-steps because they are almost certain to happen at some point.
  

When all is said and done, the actions you take to affect a change will determine just how much you really wanted the change in the first place.
Real decisions require decisive actions.