Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics
For most of us, however; New Years resolutions are usually about change. Many of us vow to change a behavior, abstain from some sweet or fattening treat, or promise ourselves that this is the year we are going to get into shape or stop smoking. I found some statistics that I think you might find interesting from an article in the Journal of Clinical Psychology.
Taken from a study on human intentions, the following shows the percentage of resolutions that are maintained by the test group as time goes on:
- past the first week: 75%
- past 2 weeks: 71%
- after one month: 64%
- after 6 months: 46%
From a Warrior's perspective, it's clear there was some strategic consideration from these participants, as they all had a measure of intention. Given the fact that three quarters of the participants of this survey completed the first 7 days, one would conclude that there was at least a small degree of tactical execution. My question here is "what could have caused such a steep decline in performance over time?" For those of you that I have coached, you know it is my contention, that something is missing.
The Missing Link
It is the operational level that you rarely, if ever, hear about from business leaders, politicians, or even yourself. The operational level is lost in the civilian translation and its absence is apparent in every great undertaking that falls short.
The Good Book Says
One of the military's manuals says it this way. “The operational level provides the vital link between strategic objectives and tactical employment of forces. At the operational level, military forces attain strategic objectives through the design, organization, and conduct of campaigns and major operations. Tactical battles and engagements are fought to achieve operational results.”
Simply put, the operational level is the sequencing of tactical engagements that achieve "bite-sized" chunks of a larger strategic objective. Where I believe we fall short as individuals is not our strategies or our tactics, but our ability to regulate our own internal operational level, or as I refer to it in Warrior Life Coaching, your Operational System.
Take Away
As tomorrow marks the 7th day of the New Year, I would like to think that most of you are still on track in your resolutions for 2010. To those of you I say congratulations! If you are in the waning 25% that fall off in the first week (see above statistics) then might I suggest that your Operational System needs a tune up?
