The concept of “New Year’s Resolutions” seems like a tired cliché…and it is when you think of the millions of people who make resolutions for the new year and then forget about them weeks or even days later.  What you really need is a vision that allows you to grow into the person you want to be and an action plan to make it happen. 

By following the common sense strategy outlined below, you will be empowered to achieve your goals, realize your dreams, and celebrate your successes.

1. Choose a theme for the year, such as this is the year of courage, or follow through, or love, and set your intentions and decisions for the new year based on your theme. For example, if you decided this is the year of courage, you would ask yourself, “What would a courageous person do” before making a decision. One of your intentions might be to take a step of courage each day.

2. Get clear on what you want.  How will achieving this goal or realizing this dream improve your life? Why do you want to make this change? Write the reasons down, so if you begin to falter you can read and remember. How committed are you to achieving it? If the commitment level is low, you may want to choose something different.

3. Once you decide on your goal, close your eyes and imagine it is a year from now. You have accomplished what you set out to do. How do you feel? How has your life changed? How and where are you celebrating? Now write down your vision of experiencing success.  Make it something like, “It is December 31, 2008 and I am so happy and grateful that I decided to make this year the year of courage. I accomplished all I set out for myself.  I made those phone calls that enhanced my business, I joined that dance class and loved it, I made some great new friends, I grew in so many ways … It has been an incredible year.” 

3. Set up a system to keep your vision uppermost in your mind.  One effective system is creating a success journal. Write your vision at the front. Too often people don’t achieve their goals because they forget about them! Use your success journal as a daily reminder.

4. Next, look at the barriers that could get in your way and set up strategies to overcome them. Remember your self-talk — identify what you tell yourself that could sabotage your success and create replacement thoughts instead. Determine the types of support that will empower you along the way — a buddy, book, course, coach, or something else.  Now put them in place.

5. Create an action plan to achieve your resolutions. Take what you want to accomplish in the year and break it down into 3-month plans. From that create monthly, weekly and daily plans.

6. Each morning grab your success journal, read your vision statement with feeling and write down what step(s) you will take that day. Then each evening write down all the steps you took. Besides being a great reminder and motivator of what you are doing and why, it’s also a way to celebrate your daily accomplishments.

7. If you get off track for a while, don’t beat yourself up, simply course correct and continue.

The reasons we have goals and dreams are to grow as people and enjoy the journey to a more fulfilling life… the life of our dreams. 

[Ed. Note: Norma Reid is a Success Coach and Trainer. Living a fabulous life is not just about the physical, it's also the mental, emotional and spiritual. For more information, click here.]

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