“Lose weight.” “Save money.” “Get organized.” Blah blah blah. These are the most common New Year’s resolutions in America each year. Do they motivate, energize, and excite you into action? Me neither.
I’m convinced that the main reason New Year’s resolutions fail is because they are formed from a place of lack. We ask ourselves: What did I do poorly this year? Where did I fail? What am I still not doing right after all these years? Then we set our goals from that point of deficiency and frustration.
No wonder most of us have forgotten our resolutions by February!
This year, before you record your goals on paper (you do that, right? ;-), begin with what I call a Celebration of Triumphs. My coaching clients all receive a template for this activity, but you can whip up your own today in 3 simple steps:
1. Find a quiet location where you can be free from interruptions for an hour. Your local library or coffee shop, perhaps – somewhere out of your ‘usual’ environment.
2. Number a blank piece of paper or journal page from 1-12.
3. Reflect over the past year, and jot down 12 successes – results that make you happy, proud, or that you consider “wins.” I recommend at least 6 of them stemming from your work experience.
Side note: YOU get to define success for this exercise. Did you land an important client? Volunteer for a leadership position in your trade association? Keep your tomato plants alive? Whatever YOU consider success counts!
Once completed, take a few moments to savor your success and pat yourself on the back. THEN, from this place of success and joy, start recording your goals for 2014. Not only will you be in a much better mental space, you’ll find your goals much more connected to your purpose and to what YOU truly envision as success in the coming year.
What is one of your successes from 2013? Share yours in the comments below, on our Facebook page, or via Twitter!
Want to have SPECTACULAR results to celebrate with an entire group in 2014? Final chance to enroll in the ASPIRE Success Club – click here for details!
Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she coaches professionals to get unstuck and reach Bold Goals with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.
Learn more at www.meaning-and-purpose.com and follow Dr. Christi on Facebook and Twitter.