Gearing up for a Great Year

As we begin to wrap up 2009, I want to take a few minutes to encourage you to start planning for 2010. The end of the year is a natural time to consider where you are, what you’ve accomplished, and, most important, what you want to accomplish in 2010—and beyond. Here are a few tips on how to make this the year that you achieve your goals.

• Write it down. Before you can achieve your goals, you have to know what they are. Motivation expert Zig Ziglar recommends keeping a list of goals in a notebook. Start by writing down everything you want to do, be or have. Then, narrow down the list by order of importance based on what you want to do, be or have this year.
• Make sure it’s your goal. In Put Your Dream to the Test, John C. Maxwell comments that a dream or a goal that isn’t yours is not likely to bring success or fulfillment. List the reasons you want to accomplish your goal—are they your reasons? For example, if you want to stop smoking because your children want you to or your doctor says you should, it’s not your goal. Test the goal, and understand why you want it. If you are committed to a healthier, prolonged life expectancy because it’s what you want, you are much more likely to break your smoking habit.
• Keep it visible. Once you have a clear list of what you want to accomplish, keep it in your wallet, on your bathroom mirror, and taped to your monitor or car’s sun visor. Seeing your goals in print every day helps you put the Law of Attraction to work for you by keeping you focused on what you want.
• Take baby steps. Experts agree that rather than making grandiose resolutions, success ensues when we commit to creating new habits. Celebrity personal trainer and best-selling author Bob Greene says consistency is key. “When you are consistent, you can change your life in a big way. Powerful change comes with small changes.” That advice rings as true to establishing health habits as it does to building wealth and improving relationships.
• Remember, do-overs are allowed. Perfection doesn’t exist. It’s human nature to slip into old habits, but it’s important not to allow temporary setbacks to become permanent. One impulsive credit card purchase doesn’t have to lead to an extended spending spree. An unhealthy midday snack doesn’t have to ruin your plans for a healthy dinner. Reread your goal list to remind yourself of what’s important. Then give yourself a no-guilt do-over, and let your next decision be one that moves you in the direction you really want to go.
• Don’t stop! Even as you make plans for next year’s success, don’t give up on your 2009 goals. What can you do today to move you closer to your definition of success? We all still have time to make progress on, if not complete, the projects or goals we outlined at the beginning of the year. Buckle down for a strong finish!

By the way, I have several exciting interviews lined up for the continuation of our “Reinvent Your Career” series. Please continue to send me your questions on making changes to your life or career and/or questions on the how-tos of business start-up, marketing, etc.

Additional Reading

• How to stay up when life isn’t going as planned.
• Creating Job Security by Becoming the Boss
• Make an Impression