Well, we said good-bye to 2012 last night and awoke to a brand new year. For some, this is a time of renewal, a time for a fresh start. A time to forget about all the “stuff” we would like to forget about the past year and focus on making the year in front of us our best year ever.
Every year, I hear so many people say what they plan on doing in the coming year, myself included, only to find that by February, we’ve lost site and even worse, hope, for achieving our results. Why? Because it’s not enough to just say what you want to do.
One of the best (and probably the simplest) pieces of advice I’ve heard is this: “If you want things in your life to change, you’re going to have to change things in your life.” You may be thinking, “Well, duh! Obviously.” But because it’s such a stupidly obvious statement, it very often gets overlooked.
The fact is, we do have to change things in our life; the sadder fact is, many of us don’t. And if we don’t, nothing changes!
If we want our resolutions, or goals to become reality, then we have to take the necessary steps towards achieving them. Let’s be honest here – it’s going to take some work! The ONLY way we can achieve ANY goal is to DO something about it.
This can be done in baby steps. By changing only one or two things in your daily routine, and doing it consistently over a period of time (3-4 weeks), you’ll be creating new habits. It’s our daily habits that determine where we’re headed. If your goal is to lose weight and get in shape, you’re going to have to change the way you eat and start some kind of an exercise program. Buy different foods when you go to the grocery store. Get some exercise or work-out equipment, or join a gym…and GO, consistently! If your goal is to earn more money, make sure you’re actively searching out ways to do so. If you’re looking to get a raise, or promotion, make sure you’re going the extra mile at your job. Maybe it would help to enrol in some extra courses. The point is, it’s going to take doing something.
The problem with most of us is, even if we do take action, we don’t stick with it for long enough to form new habits. Decide in your mind right now that it’s going to take work, and it’s not going to be easy, but know, that after a while it will become easier and easier. Knowing this going in can make the difference and help break past that point when you feel like giving up. Knowing it’s going to be hard, but that it will get easier will help when you do come to that point.
Following is a list of steps to help ensure you make the most of your New Year’s resolutions:
1. Write down your goals (on paper) in detail describing exactly what it is you want. Most of the experts also suggest you write in the present tense, as if you already have it.
2. Take some kind of action step. The idea is to replace an old habit with a new one, and that requires doing something repeatedly and consistently until the new habit takes form.
3. Stay focused on what you want. There will be many distractions that come along to take you off your path. Never lose site of your desire.
4. Be happy! Yes it’s hard work, but it’s not a life and death situation (at least, I hope it isn’t). Try to be easy about it all and think about how happy you will be when you finally achieve your goal.
I’m going to get to work on my list right now. Let’s all make this the best year of our lives!
Happy New Year! Until next time.
Yours in Success,
Jim
p.s. If one of your goals or resolutions is to make more money or start a new home-based online business, please check out Empower Network by clicking on one of the links you see on this page.
JIM SERENEY.com 