Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.” ~ Pablo Picasso
With only 7 weeks to go until 2016, most people are totally pre-occupied with navigating and surviving this busy time and hoping to make it to January with their sanity intact. Then when January 1st comes around they make their New Year’s resolutions, often the exact same one’s they had the year before with the exact same plan they had the year before – which by the way did not work out that well for them. And with the hype, hope and excitement of the new year and no new, strategic or well-thought out plan, they are once again setting out a road that will most likely reach a “dead-end” before spring.
Sound familiar? If it does, don’t despair. This is your opportunity do get ahead of the game, take a different approach and set yourself for success in 2016.
So instead of waiting until January 1st to impulsively set your goals and plans, which by the way should really just be another stepping stone towards that greater long term life ambition you have, why not do it now.
Take the time now to reassess your year, reflect on what worked for you, where did you succeed, where did you fall short and make a more thoughtful, informed and strategic approach for 2016. And if you need the help, work with a coach who can really help you see the forest for the trees and create an approach completely customized to your goals, personality, lifestyle and everything else that impacts our day to day habits.
Think about what areas of your life you want to see grow, change and improve. Are you focused on improving your health, your fitness, your career, your finances, your happiness, your relationships, you connection with yourself?
Consider if we were having this conversation this time next year, what would you love to have accomplished that will allow you sit back and say, “wow, this was a phenomenal year for me – I am so proud of what I have accomplished and how I showed up”!
So what is it that you most want to accomplish in 2016? Regardless of what it is, you need to able to answer these 5 questions with absolute clarity, certainty and commitment in order to move the dial forward.
So get out your journal/pen and paper/laptop/iPad/tablet – it doesn’t matter which but take the time to really contemplate your answers. Be rigorously honest and write away – with as much detail and emotion as possible and without being influenced by what you think others may expect of you.
1. What specifically do I want to accomplish next year?
2. Why is this so important to me in my life now? (Dig deep on this one because your greatest commitments will be reflected by deepest desires).
3. What am I willing to give up or change to achieve it?
4. What will I need to do consistently every day or week or month to make it happen?
5. What are the potential challenges I anticipate and what are at least 3 solutions I can come up with so that I am running my life and living proactively versus reactively?
Now don’t wait until January to get started – start NOW! Figure out a plan, get the support you need and put it into action NOW. This way by the time January 1st comes around you will already have established new habits and patterns. Where others will just be trying to get started, you will well into your new “stride” and feeling awesome!
If you want different results in 2016, then choose something different and make a different commitment to yourself! You are worth it and you can do it!
The next couple of weeks are going to fly by regardless of your actions and I know 2016 will look and feel so much more exciting if you can start it with 7 weeks of intentional, disciplined and focused action under your belt versus recovering from a holiday “hangover”!
So let’s make this happen together! Be bold and share where you are headed in the comments section below. Share your dreams and what actions you are going to immediately and CONSISTENTLY start taking to be able write a different beginning and ending to 2016.
Share the challenges you anticipate along the way so that I can do all I can to support you with relevant content, tips and strategies to help you as you push hard to start 2016 ahead of the game.
Make your dreams happen, starting now.
Until next week – embrace your inner truth, live your purpose and make your contribution in the world today.
With gratitude and appreciation,
Lauren
