New Year, New Goals… But Is That Enough?

Have you wrapped up 2013?

Are you looking forward to getting started in 2014?

Have you created a list of goals for 2014?

This is the general “to do” list I see as we turn the page to a new year. People reflect on the past year, look forward to new year, and write a long list of goals to accomplish in the new year. They are ready – gung ho, fired up and ready to go.

But here’s the thing…

All the action that has been taken has been surface. Yep – I said it! If one really looks at it, it has been half-hearted, going with the masses, doing what they think they should. You know why I think they do it in this fashion? Because deep down, they have no intention of making any real headway and when the masses bogue out on their new year resolutions, so can they. The have skillfully hidden themselves among the masses to stay safe.

Sound harsh? Perhaps….

Here are some tips on how to NOT be one of the many and really get going in the new year.

Reflection

This is not limited to the end of a year. You should be regularly reflecting on what has occurred in your life. And sorry, but it is not enough to just skim over the past month, or quarter, or year.

You will only grow through true reflection. This means looking at the good and the bad. Look at the good to know what to keep doing. Look at the bad to change course and reduce the amount of bad that you see. This is why people rarely go to this level. It takes targeted ACTION!

True reflection is not just looking through a window at the past watching a replay. Reflection is only helpful when lessons learned (good or bad) are incorporated in behavior moving forward. Did you start a weekly blog and that is going well – great keep going with that. Did you realize that your volunteer hours are stunting progress on higher priority projects? Ok, then reevaluate where you spend your time and trim accordingly.

Looking Forward

A new year is akin to a clean slate. It is a fertile land of new possibilities. This should be inspiring. It is a time to plant seeds that will bring opportunity and growth. If looking forward at the whole year is daunting, break it down into more manageable chunks. Perhaps take a look at only the first quarter.

This will also set up more frequent reflection periods!

New Goals

Don’t get me wrong. I think new goals are fantastic. It is just unfortunate that more times than not I see people make a long list of 20 things they want to get done in the new year and then that is as far as it goes. They remain pie in the sky niceties. Make them requirements! How you might ask?

Forget the super long list of goals that makes you feel good in the month of January. Pare that down to 3-5 goals. And then… yep, figure out action steps. Goals are never accomplished by staying big picture.

It is crucial to begin to break down goals into action steps. These must be attainable. It will do no good to make the action steps so large that they can never be completed. These smaller steps will also serve as progress markers. As you check each step off as they are completed this will feed your motivation. You will actually be able to see movement toward accomplishing your goal.

Action is the common denominator that will break you out of the pack. Don’t settle for status quo and unfulfilled goals. Dedicate yourself to really working and accomplishing great things for you personally and professionally in 2014. You deserve the best, but only you can go out and claim the best for your life.

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Just include this complete statement with the content: A. Lynn Jesus, CEO and Purpose Expert with Thriveology, is dedicated to helping people discover their purpose and live life on their terms. Are you ready to get started? Get her FREE guidebook 5 Steps to Begin Defining Your Journey.