My new year is starting out in a really exciting way- I planned it that way! I made a decision in December about how I wanted the beginning of the new year to look for me and now it is in motion. One of the things I love most is having the opportunity to appear on the radio and tv to share great thoughts, encouragement and information that can help people to live a more successful, enjoyable, healthy, and just plain wonderful lives- by their definition.
Being that it was the beginning of a new year, the theme of all of these appearances has been the same- starting a new year right, setting resolutions and how to be successful with them. This year, I have noticed a lot of focus on reality- that it is easy to start, and harder to keep going, especially for the full year. Though the appearances have all been a little different, some of the same points have come up over and over again. I have also heard from many people which points have made the most impact for them. I want to share those with you in today’s post, in no particular order.
1. You MUST get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Change brings discomfort, it is just a part of the game- look at the discomfort as a sign that you are on the right track! Decide to keep going through the discomfort- you will get the reward! Running into an obstacle or discomfort is the main reason people give up on their goals.
2. If you get off track, and everyone does, get right back on track again. You can have a fresh start any day. Getting off track is no reason to trash you goal. Don’t beat yourself up, just assess what caused you to get off track so that you can get through it the next time it comes up.
3. Get accountabilty. Going it along is MUCH harder- find someone who has your best interests at heart and wants to see you succeed to hold you accountable to what you said you wanted to do. It can be a friend, co-worker, child, coach, etc. Finding like minded people with similar goals to spend time with is extremely helpful! Ask for help- successful people always have people who have helped them to reach their goals.
4. Check out www.thecompoundeffect.com and learn about the impact your choices have. Learn to keep the big picture in mind, your end result and all the good it represents, while placing the high importance every choice you make all day long. The little choices will be the reason you succeed- or don’t.
5. Clean up your environments to allow clarity, and to regain a lot of energy you are losing through clutter and disorganization. Your home, your office, your car and the people you spend time with are all examples of environments you have in your life.
6. Fill your head with positive, uplifting, motivational, and inspiring “stuff” each day. Try an experiment for 90 days- give up negative news and read great books instead. Biographies are a great genre for this- read about people who have overcome obstacles and learn from them. Listen to inspiring and motivational recordings in the car. Success magazine is one of my favorite things to suggest as it is filled with great information and contains a cd for the car each month with interviews of great thinkers- expand your mind in 2012.
7. Laugh! Keeping your eye on the light side of things, seeking out humor in funny books, radio shows, telling jokes, and watching humorous movies. Hang around funny friends that make you laugh. Laughing brings more and better energy and let’s face it, if you are laughing, you are having fun!
8. Review your (written) goals each morning when you get up and before you go to bed. Keeping focused on what you want everyday is the key. Plan your actions for the day based on what you said you wanted- the quality of your choices will determine your outcome.
My best to you for a spectacular and sparkling 2012! It is going to be a great year!