New Year, Fresh Start – Setting yourself up for the best year yet!

Hello again and happy new year friends!  We hope you all enjoyed the holidays as much as we did and managed to spend time with loved ones, relax, celebrate, and re-group for the new year. We certainly enjoyed our time off and are back feeling refreshed, recharged and ready to take on a brilliant 2012!

If you haven’t already, we suggest pouring yourself a glass of red/white/whiskey/tea – whatever your poison – and taking some quiet time out to ask yourself a few questions about the year that’s passed: 

• What challenged you? What did you learn/realise you need to learn?
• What were your accomplishments? What are you most proud of?
• What areas of your life would you like to improve? What do you wish you did more of? Less of?

Then take a moment to reflect on where you want to take your life in 2012. We find it helpful to think about this in backwards steps, starting with the BIG picture:

• What is your life legacy? How do you want to be remembered at the end of your life? (A little affronting, we know, but oh-so-powerful.)

• What are a few long-term goals that would significantly move you closer to your legacy? (You may like to split these into two categories – personal & professional. Eg. Being world-class in your field, financial freedom, a loving and supportive relationship/family, creating a magical childhood for your children, remaining fit and healthy in body and mind, life-long learning, etc.)

• What 2-year goals would move you closer to your long-term goals? (A promotion at work, winning that big client, beginning your own business, writing a book, a romantic holiday with your partner, spending more time with your children, taking up yoga/dance/a new language, drinking more water, eating less sugar, volunteering in your community, etc.)

• And finally, what can you do in the next week to move closer to your 2-year goals? (Maybe it is nailing a presentation at work, writing a business plan, writing the first chapter of the book, setting up a meeting with a new client, leaving a sweet note in your partner’s wallet/purse, a date night, a day off with the kids, researching yoga studios in your area, drinking at least 2 bottles of water a day, watching a foreign language film, etc.)

Whatever your goals, be sure they are specific, measurable, and in your control!

A vision board is another fabulous way to reflect on goals and be sure you remain focused on them throughout the year:

1. Get out the old magazines/newspapers and start looking for things that inspire you. Dream big.

2. Try thinking of your goals & dreams in terms of your career, health, relationships, education, spirituality, finances, etc. Visualise what your ideal life would look like and choose images or words that represent that on the page.

3. Put the finished product in a place where you’ll see it every day. When you are in need of some serious motivation or find yourself caught up in the daily grind, revisit your vision board for big-picture inspiration.

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