Apr

23

New Year - New Energy!

April 23, 2008 |



The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have. (Norman Vincent Peale)

Mind Power Tools 

At the end of a year we often get worn down by the many details of preparing for and participating in holiday celebrations. Then there are also those end of year work responsibilities such as meeting deadlines and goals that we (or someone else) set twelve months ago.

It’s time to face a new year with renewed energy. There are new possibilities awaiting you! Want some help to get ready?

First, review your accomplishments for the past year. Scan through your calendars and journals to see what you did. All the events listed there, big or small, signify the impact you have made for yourself and others. Look at your surroundings to see what is different. Are there photos, certificates, possessions that mark a difference in your life? Perhaps you have de-cluttered your environment and accomplished a less stressful lifestyle. Give yourself credit for all these things and be amazed and impressed!

Now you know that you are ready to have another remarkable year. To help that process along, set meaningful goals that will pull you forward. Be sure to include learning something new. There is nothing like “beginner mind” to keep you young and energized. Choose goals that are within your reach but at the same time will stretch you beyond your current comfort zone. Visualize what your life could be like next year at this time. What would you like to announce proudly or acknowledge quietly about your changes? Maybe you have a huge physical challenge in mind like climbing a mountain. Perhaps you will improve a relationship that needs mending. Whatever it is, imagine what that might be like.

Once you have decided on your goals, write out your plan for getting there. Remember that one of the reasons New Year’s resolutions fall through is that the people who make them don’t have a plan for achieving them. List the small steps you need to take in order to reach the top of that mountain! An example I can offer you is my plan for the Certified Performance Technologist certificate I completed. I listed weekly goals (like writing one paragraph a day) in my calendar to keep myself on track. It reduced the project to a much more doable size. I also set specific deadlines for key “milestones” in the process. It works!

Find someone who will support you in reaching your goals. This can be a professional coach or just a reliable friend who agrees to check in with you. You are more likely to continue moving toward your goal when you know that you are accountable to someone beyond yourself. That person may also be better at recognizing your growth and affirming you for it.

Forgive yourself when you notice that you are stuck or sliding backwards. Be kind to yourself with a little pep talk and get moving again.

Celebrate success along the way! Keep score in some way and reward yourself for progress. You might want to do a weekly or monthly review so that you will be more aware of your achievement. This will spur you on in your quest and give you something to look forward to at each significant point in your progress. Remember - you deserve it!

Goals provide the energy source that powers our lives. One of the best ways we can get the most from the energy we have is to focus it. That is what goals can do for us; concentrate our energy. (Denis Waitley)

Mind Power

Anna Watkins is a Career Coach with a special interest in group coaching and Master Mind Groups, networks of likeminded people who support and help each other stay on track with their life goals. You can learn more about the resources she offers through her website: http://www.one-e-anna.com
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