This year is going to crush last year! There is always so much talk about resolutions, weight loss, making more money, better relationships, etc; but what isn't addressed enough is how to get on the right track in order to receive these things. That's what this article is all about. Here's how to ensure that you crush it this year!
Set Attainable Goals: It is great to have huge dreams and goals but you also need to have a level of realism when you set them. Now, don't get me wrong, I am not saying to think small here! Do not limit yourself. What I am saying is put some realistic thought into your goals and whether or not they are one month, one year, 5-10 years of lifetime goals. Check out what Michael Hyatt has to say about setting goals! He talks about SMART Goals and how to use them. This is how I recommend you go about setting your goals for this year.
Write Down Your Goals: This is such an important step towards actually achieving your goals! When your goals are just thoughts, they are mixed in with the other 50,000 thoughts you have during the day. Your goals can easily get diluted with that many things going on in your head. Studies have proven that taking the step to write down your goals greatly increases the chances of you actually attaining them. So write them down, but don't just stick them into a notebook and forget about them. You need to put them where you will see them. Keep them written nicely and posted on your fridge, or (one of my favorites) write with dry erase markers on you bathroom mirror. Keep them as a background on you phone, tablet, or computer. Try one of these sites to make a virtual vision board which you can save as a background!
Dream Boards at www.DreamItAlive.com I registered for this one and took it for a quick spin. It's pretty easy! There are images you can choose from or upload your own. Create your free account and begin working on the reality that you have dreamed about.
Make A Vision Board: I am sure you have heard of the Law of Attraction but if you haven't, check out The Law Of Attraction Magazine to learn a little more! Without getting into it too much, you want to focus on what you want. Duh, right? But how do you do that? One of the ways is to create a vision board. Vision boards help you to clarify and focus on what you desire in life; whether it is a tangible object that you own like a new car, money, house, or a thing you become; more patient, loving, caring, etc. You can cut out pictures, put up sayings, phrases, whatever motivates you and is something you truly desire. Put this board up somewhere you will see it multiple times a day. That way it will help you to remember what you are working towards. You can also use the above sites to make a virtual vision board for your electronics so you will never be without your goals! Also, check out MakeVisionBoard.com for a good explanation of vision boards.
Read: "No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance." — Confucius. Well, that pretty much sums it up! One of the best things you can do for yourself is to become a reader. Become curious, a learner, hungry for knowledge. I am not really talking about those romance novels, war stories, or sci-fi novels, although these do have there place and time on occasion. Grab a biography of someone who inspires you or impresses you, a business book about sales or running your own business, or a, dare I say these words, "self help" book about bettering yourself and your life. There are millions of books out there so ask someone who you look up to, what book you should start reading today!
Accountability Partner: Find an accountability partner. An accountability partner is someone who you will check in with, share your goals with, your game plan on how you will be going about things, and tell them your deadlines. Make this person someone who you can trust and will actually hold you accountable for things. They need to be tough too; it can't be a friend who is just going to let you get away with some crumby excuse. Check out this site called Build the Fire and how he describes finding the right accountability partner. Find someone who supports you and believes in you and what you are doing. I came across the website Gentle Nudge Me and it seems like a pretty great concept. In full disclaimer, I have not enrolled in their program but I like the concept of their online accountability community.
Be Grateful: Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude." Being grateful keeps you on track to receive more of those things for which you are grateful. This is the Law of Attraction at work. Before bed, tell your spouse or significant other what you are grateful for that day, or start a gratitude journal and write at least one thing in it every evening, that way you can go over them later. When you do these things, you will continue to be open to receiving more of them. Check out TinyBuddha.com's write up on how to start a gratitude practice. She takes you through step by step on how to get in-tune with what you are grateful for and how to continue to have more of it in you lives.
Eliminate Distractions: This is a tough thing for many people, especially in the super connected world we live in today. You need to learn to eliminate the distractions that keep you from accomplishing your priorities for that day. Sometimes you will have to sacrifice going out for happy hour or miss your special TV show that evening and that's okay, you have bigger dreams than that. Set some boundaries, whether they are time blocks or physical boundaries like a door. Tell people you are working and can't be bothered. Don't answer the phone if it doesn't pertain to that current task…or turn it off if you don't NEED it. Don't check your email every time it beeps, reserve only a couple times a day for checking and replying to emails. Facebook and other social media isn't going anywhere, leave them closed. The distractions are endless and very powerful so do your best to stay focused and shut out the things you don't need at the moment.
Be Consistent: Obviously we know that going to the gym one time isn't going to make us strong, and eating only one healthy meal doesn't make us a pillar of health. Everything worth having in life will take consistency. You will reap the rewards of your actions, but it may take time. You need to have faith and know you are doing the right things. Just be consistent every day in your efforts toward your goals. Your efforts this week, month, and year will show up in the results next week, month and year. Check out these 3 Simple Ways to Build Consistency!
I sincerely hope you had an amazing year and are grateful for the many things that you accomplished last year. Now it's the New Year… and we are all going to step it up a notch! So dream big, love with an open heart and be grateful for even the small things in life. Face your fears head on and let's make this the best year ever!
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