Happy New Year! Yes it is still technically the new year as I’d like to believe that last week was a practice run for the real 2017! And every year during this time when we scroll through our social media feed, we can’t seem to shake the never ending posts of people determined to be a better person this year. And as you sit there on your phone scrolling you think back and say to yourself
Image taken from ginavalley.com
Though it does feel like we’ve been busy the whole of 2016, in a frenzy running around doing things, but let’s be honest that’s just what life is - busy. We occupy our time with things to keep us busy so we don’t have to face the reality that we’re really just running around in circles ad not really getting anywhere.
If you’re tired of running around and feel that this is the year you want to make the leap forwards below are a few steps you can take to see your plan to fruition.
CONQUER YOUR FEAR
Most of time, people are unable to take action because there is an innate fear within them that leaves them paralysed (sometimes it’s the lack of drive) but most of the time it’s fear. Fear of failure, fear or letting other people down, fear that the road ahead is going to be difficult and rough.
This year choose courage over fear and the best way to do it is to start by understanding what exactly is it that you want. It’s usually easier for us to downplay our fears when we can see the benefits outweighing the costs.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR GOAL
The next step after you’ve gotten over your fear you need to map out a plan to get to your goal. In his bestselling book the 7 habits of highly effective people, Stephen Covey says that people who are highly successful usually start with the end in mind. This is a great concept that will help us understand our goal.
To start with the end in mind, you would have to begin each day, task, or project with a clear visualization on what you want to achieve at the end of the day. This goal needs to be specific, actionable and measurable.
With the goal in mind, you would have to work backwards on what action steps you would have to take in order to get to that goal..
HAVE A PLAN
Map out your action steps through careful planning. Think of possible challenges that you may face and opportunities you will have to seize in order to get from one step to another. Start by setting up mini goals or mini ‘upgrades’ you have to go through so that the cumulative of these goals will lead you to your ultimate goal.
The next step is to set up a general timeline of what you want to achieve and by when you want to achieve this goal. Set up check points to motivate you and give yourself that little added pressure in order to sustain your motivation. For example if your plan is to start and run a successful online business with revenues amounting to $500,000 then your plan would be a breakdown of each month and the things that you would have to get done and the sales you would have to make in order to get to that $500,000 mark.
The easiest way to do this is to break down what are the different components of your resolution and set up weekly or monthly milestones that you need to unlock. This reprograms your brain into thinking it as more of a game or a challenge that you can unlock instead of an arduous task that you have to complete at the expense of your own comfort.
TAKING THE NEXT SMALL STEP
As you look at your plan, you may feel overwhelmed by the amount of work you have to get done and right about now that little voice in your head is probably already saying that it’s too much effort.
Now more than ever you have to start doing something because if you let that voice in your head convince you that you can’t do it, you’re back to square one. Just start doing something, pen an email to someone who think might help, go online a Google for ways to start an online business ( or whatever it is that you want to do). Just keep taking small steps forward and stick to your timeline because sooner or later by just doing what is possible you’d surprise yourself by doing what is impossible
BE ACCOUNTABLE TO YOURSELF
Last be true to yourself, you can get someone to be your accountability buddy to track your progress but in all truth and honesty
Working towards bettering different areas of our lives is bound to be difficult but it doesn’t have to be. Things like leading a healthier lifestyle or saving more (or starting to save) money are probably difficult things to start doing.
Image from memecenter.com
The only person who can make a change in your life is you so it’s about time that we try our very best to stay discipline and do whatever it takes to get there.
I’m rooting for you! You can do this!
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