Based on the calendar – the New Year is off and running!
What about you – are you off and running? Have you started a “new” year or is 2015 a continuation of 2014?
- Is this going to be a year to remember?
- Is this the year you take the leap you have been thinking about?
- Is this the year to break the default and forge your deliberate journey?
I hope your answer is a resounding yes!
But let’s be honest. It is the third week of the new-year and I bet you are already settling into some default routines. The long holiday break was great but you have fallen behind with work and to do’s. Consequently, you hit the ground running in an attempt to make up lost ground. Before you know it, one week is gone; one month is gone; 2015 is gone.
I’m not trying to be Debbie Downer – I just see every day how quickly you can fall back into the routine. I see how fast the excitement for your best year ever can slip to the back burner!
Don’t let it happen again. Don’t bury your thoughts, hopes, dreams and expectations under a pile of “to-do’s”. Try something different.
While I’m a fan of goal setting, I recognize not everyone takes the time and effort to write (and follow) SMART goals. That’s fine. In lieu of goals, I encourage you to take more of a process-oriented approach.
Try these 6 “Resolution Shortcuts” and watch the positive change!
- Celebrate More – enjoy what you have accomplished and take time to revel in the victory. Don’t hide it nor ignore it – enjoy the victories and accomplishments.
- Give Thanks Daily – No one succeeds on their own – give thanks to God above and/or the many people in your world who have helped you get where you are. Build a grateful heart and mindset – it feels good.
- Reprioritize Your Needs – needs change over time. For example, at points of your life & career – power and significance are your biggest drivers. However, other times it may be more about family and parenthood. Be deliberate with where your are in life and align your daily activities to better reflect those needs.
- Play Monday Morning Quarterback – throughout the previous year you made choices. With choices are consequences – good and bad. Look back at your key choices – not at the path you took, but at the pat not taken. Are there some “new” opportunities for you to pursue this year? Is thee an opportunity waiting for you to pursue?
- Redefine Success – Every year offers some ‘success.’ However, your definition of success changes. You may have defined success as “achieving a promotion” or “buying a new house.” Consider new definitions. Look at ‘success from a holistic or balanced perspective. Things like “get healthy” or “have the marriage of my dreams” or “lead my church” or “develop my legacy.” A different definition of success facilitates deliberate choices, different priorities and positive change.
- Renew Targets – with a grateful heart, begin the process of writing new goals and/or targets. Follow a process you’ve used in the past and get a fresh set of objectives worthy of your time and attention.
Don’t coast through the year. If you look back over the last 12 months and see events/consequences, but not effort/choice – you may be in default mode. The goal of a Deliberate Journey is to act. Be deliberate. It isn’t about doing everything “right” but at least doing. Renew your passion, refresh your targets and make choices. You’ll be glad you did!