Look Forward to the New Year: Moving Ahead

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The Process of Progress
As 2017 ends and 2018 begins, it is a natural point in time to stop and reflect on what has occurred and what we hope will happen.  A great deal of emphasis is placed upon setting goals for 2018.  It is healthy and progressive to have an optimistic sense of direction.  However, many of us have grown weary of setting “resolutions” or goals that we either abandon or fail to fully accomplish.  This often breeds a vicious cycle of either setting unrealistic goals, that we are not likely to successfully meet or a chronic sense of trepidation, dread and doubt about the future.  

We are more likely to meet and feel optimistic about attaining goals that are based in reality. This enables us to set goals that we can believe in and see the likelihood of success.

One approach is to be present and mindful of the journey toward our goal.  In that way, we can understand that the goal is not accomplished overnight and we can maintain a positive attitude and the sustained activity (persistence) that will eventually result in goal attainment.  

1.    Recognize that Progress is a Process

  •   Setting realistic goals with identifiable steps are more likely to be achieved. Consider utilizing  the S.M.A.R.T. goal setting system is helpful
  • Specific; Measurable; Achievable; Realistic; Time Limited
  •  Patience with the process and with oneself is important
  •   Persistence is also essential; Don’t give up


2.       Stop and Take Stock of Your Progress: The closer you see yourself moving toward your goal, the easier it will be to sustain your energy and efforts

  •  Take note of and or measure the steps you have made thus far
  •   Create some method of keeping track of the steps you have already made
  •   Focus on what you have accomplished versus what you have not yet achieved to generate your  enthusiasm and positive attitude


3.        Recognize your role in your own progress.  This further empowers you

  •   See how certain attitudes have helped you work toward your goal
  •   Identify your actions, which have been instrumental in helping you achieve your goals
  •   Give yourself credit; Allow yourself to feel good and proud of your role in your achievements


4.       Call up your past history of successful goal attainment

  •  Allow this experience to remind you that you are able to achieve future goals
  •   Recognize what worked before that enabled you to be successful
  •  Allow yourself to learn lessons about the experience and yourself that can help with future goals.


5.       Get empowered around past failures and disappointments, instead of allowing them to conquer and hinder you from future success.  Welcome such experiences as opportunities to enable you to do better in the future.

  •  Heal from past failures or mistakes.  Remind yourself that you are human and that these experiences do not define you
  •   Learn from your past failures and mistakes. Identify what went wrong. Determine how you can do something differently or avoid or prevent the previous problem.
  •   Grow from your past failures and mistakes. Step out seize new opportunities. Aim toward your  new goals with a more confident, more informed and wiser sense of self.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!  Wishing you Health, Happiness and Prosperity.

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