Why Fixed Term Testing is the key to sustainable high performance

Making healthy habit changes that stick can sometimes feel like a daunting prospect. 

Partly because of the pressure we load onto ourselves to change several things at any given time.  

Also because of the imperative to make all of the change we take on, stick for the long term. 

I’ve written in the past about the importance of not making too many changes at once and why you should focus on one thing at a time in sequence.

To address the second part of the challenge - making the changes stick - it can be super helpful to adopt a new framework for how you approach the whole idea of change.  

To move away from the traditional healthy habit thought process which usually runs something like this...

‘I’ll identify the changes I need to make, pick a start date and then hope for the best that I can get going and then sustain these changes forever into the future.’  

This approach immediately piles on the pressure.  

Firstly to pick the right changes to get stuck into.  

Then to get started on the appointed date.  

Then to be consistent.

With all of it.

Forever.

How about we relieve this pressure

By using a framework we refer to as Fixed Term Testing.

It’s a very simple process. 

Set aside some time today and write down all the things in your life that you’d like to be different.  

Put them into an order of priority.

For the top three, list ALL the benefits you will experience from making these changes.  

As many exciting, life enhancing results that you can brainstorm. 

Double check that your top 3 priorities are in the right order. 

Number one you will begin actioning TODAY.

First thing you’ll do?

Take instant action.  

That way you’ll feel an instant positive buzz from this action.  

Which will reassure you that taking action is worthwhile.

Identifying instant actions

You may need to spend a moment thinking about how to break down your desired change into something you can do instantly.

But that’s easy.  

Here are a few examples…

Instant action: Leadership

Make a quick list of how you’re spending your time today. Then divide the items up under two headings: ‘essential leadership and strategy initiatives’ or ‘functional process duties’. Identify which of the latter you can do less of or do differently in order to free up more time for the former.  Which is after all how you should be spending your time. Adding your unique value and experience.  Not stuck in the weeds.  

Instant action: Exercise / activity

If your highlighted change is to be more active, get up right now and go for a walk or make a plan to go for a walk at some point today.  During your walk, organise your exercise / activity schedule for the next week. 

Instant action: Sleep

When considering healthy habit change, most people get excited about the idea of instant results. And sleep is probably the area where this prize is most likely to be found.  So your instant action is to identify one night in the coming week when you will prioritise a great night’s sleep.  You know you’ll feel amazing the next day. Why would you not make this happen?

Instant action: Personal effectiveness

Look around you and take stock of how many devices, screens or channels of communication you currently have open. Switch off as many of them as you can.

Start today, build momentum tomorrow

Whatever your chosen priority change, take the instant action and then plan to build on this tomorrow.

Don’t think about this action as a change for life, rather it’s the beginning of a sequence of small steps which you may choose to take regularly from now on.

To make maintaining your new chosen behaviour really simple, determine a short trial period during which you’ll prioritise consistent contribution towards your objective. 

At this point, you don’t need to worry about doing it forever.  

Start with being consistent for a week or two or four or six.

Whatever sounds most appealing to you and suits your routine and personality the best.  

Revisit and expand your list of benefits EVERY DAY

This will ensure that whenever taking consistent action might feel like a bit of an effort, you immediately focus on maintaining and compounding the benefits you’re experiencing by thinking and doing things differently. 

Fixed Term Testing in action

The best real life example of all of this I can share is the leadership programmes we work on that are split into two modules, usually with a 6-week gap between modules. 

Why does this structure work so well? Primarily because we simplify the process and make it meaningful and manageable.

What’s the one thing you’ll prioritise differently for the next 6-weeks?

We focus hard on the benefits.

In what ways will this make your life better / easier / more fulfilling / more enjoyable?

We visualise the results very clearly.

When we meet next in 6-weeks, what exactly are the biggest and best results you’ll be sharing with me?

There’s also high level of accountability.

Each individual wants to prove they can make changes and reap the rewards to maybe five levels of accountability:

1. Themselves

2. Their coach

3. Their fellow participants

4. Their colleagues

5. Their family and friends

All of which provides massive motivation.

And crucially provides a clear direction of travel. 

By focusing so intently on the desired results, the specific short term time frame by which these results will become a reality, along with identifying who we can impress along the way and what we want to show them at our appointed deadline, executing the behaviours that maximise the chances of success becomes a simple, non-negotiable part of each day of the test period.  

Test it out for yourself. You'll be amazed at how simplifying the short-term can be the platform for massive results in the long-term.