I love the start of the year. The feeling of completion while looking back at the year that passed,noting my accomplishments and celebrating growth, and then looking forward and being excited to ask myself, what do I really want to create for this year moving forward? It thrills and excites me!
BUT it didn’t always used to be this way. At all! There were times when I used to be so PO’d because once again I didn’t achieve the goals I set for the year before, or that setting goals really just felt like yet another lame to do list…ugh!
Not fun! Read on to really create a year you love!
1. ASK
Before writing out another depressing to do list, what I find motivates my clients so much more is asking: What would I LOVE to see for this next year moving forward? What would just THRILL me? What would make me so excited I would jump out of my seat and do a happy dance?
Do you see the difference in energy here? I am not writing out a list that says: Lose 5 pounds, be more active, make more money….that doesn’t make me smile at all! 🙁 Starting with what would I love to see, feel, do, accomplish…the important thing here is loving it. Yum!
2. DETAILS
Now that you have your list of things you would just LOVE to be, do, have, and see let’s flush it out and make it more real with details! Say for instance one of the things you would love is to loose weight and exercise more. That falls a little flat energetically to me. So take a piece of paper and write out: By December 31, 2011 I will weigh (fill in your goal here) pounds and will be working out 6 times per week…or whatever it is you would like to create. Then below it, write out the story of how. How will you do it, and write it in present tense. You might write out: I am so happy and grateful now that….and then write a story of how *fabulous* and *fit* you feel, and write it in the NOW! For example, “I am so happy and grateful now that I am working out 6 days a week and fitting into jeans I haven’t worn in three years. I am loving my high energy level and have never felt so healthy and balanced energetically before. I am radiant and look really hot naked!” When you are writing your story be sure to include many details so that you feel excited and energized and a smile pops on your face as you write it!
3. SHARE IT!
You now have created exciting goals and have some details that excite and motivate you. So, you’re done right? WRONG! Now is the time to put it out into the world! You want to share your goal with the world so that you have all the support and encouragement you need. You can do this by asking a friend to hold you accountable, hire a coach, trainer or any kind of professional to support you, enlist the help of your family. What you want is to let them know, I AM doing this and thank you for your support and encouragement (and a kick in the pants when I might need that too!).
If you feel you want to keep your goal to yourself, then you can create visuals to remind you daily of what you want to create. I love vision boards! Cut out images and paste them onto a poster board and place the board somewhere where you will see it daily. I even like to write messages on the back of the images, as I like to get all the help I can get!! You can also do this on your computer and make your screensaver your vision board. Images that inspire you and push you forward to creating a life you love!
4. ENJOY THE PROCESS!
One of the most important steps in setting exciting goals is to enjoy the process! Meaning, staying flexible and in the flow of life and enjoying the game of it all. Remember that when you feel good, it is sooooo much easier to create and achieve and have fun along the way. The purpose of setting goals is to enjoy your journey and to create one enjoyable experience after another. Celebrate your steps along the way, no matter how small they may seem.! Talk with your support team, and most importantly have FUN!
I hope you enjoyed these tips, and remember to implement and take ACTION!