How To Make New Year’s Resolutions Properly

Well, it’s that time of year again!  You’ve got a few days in which to decide what you want to accomplish in 2012 and get your goals properly laid out and ready to go.  The smart thing to do is have your goals finished by the time the ball drops at 12:00 am.  Many people “wait” until the actual New Year to get started even thinking about goals and New Year’s Resolutions, but not you and not me!

Now you’re probably wondering “what is the “proper” way to set goals”?  There’s been a lot written on the subject and you can find all kinds of help on the internet, and numerous books and seminars.  But, I’ll try to lay out the basics for you here to at least get you started in the right direction (which is half the battle).

First, take some time to mull over exactly what it is that you want to accomplish in your life, or at least in the next year or so.  Don’t be afraid to dream big.  If you dream small, you’ll get small.  If you dream big, chances are great that you may actually achieve what you set your sights on.

Be very definite and specific about what you want.  The clearer the picture in your mind, the better.  If you want to weigh a certain amount, then be very specific about the numbers, measurements, sizes, and how you will look and feel.  If you want to make a certain amount of money, decide exactly how much money you want.

Set a deadline for your goal/resolution.  Decide exactly when it must be accomplished, and if there are steps along the way, determine the timeline for these as well.  I prefer to put all of these things on paper so I have it in my face all the time and can review it daily.  It’s important to keep what you want at the forefront of your mind.

Now, design a plan to carry you from here to there.  What do you have to do to achieve your goals?  What will make your New Year’s Resolutions a reality?  Write down the steps involved and set up a plan for yourself.  Get started in the right direction, even if you don’t know exactly where you’re going.  Just get started.  Your path will become more clear as you go along.

Once you have all of the above in place, it’s a great idea to write all this down in the form of an affirmation that you can read aloud to yourself several times a day.  For example, “By December 31st, 2012, I will earn $10,000 a month from my accounting services that help people straighten out their finances.  I will coach 100 people a month and help them get their bills paid off and start savings accounts.”

Read, review, and visualize your affirmation in the morning, and, ideally, again before bed.  The more you can visualize yourself already in possession of what you desire, the faster you will bring it to you.

Don’t start off the new year without a plan.  Now’s the time to get it straightened out and provide yourself with a running start.  Here’s to your happiness, health, and success in 2012!!!