No matter what happened the previous year there is always a sense of excitement and urgency when a New Year starts. No one can put a finger on it but there is such a sense of heightened anticipation and joy. It is as though it is everyone’s birthday. So, each new year as a favor or indeed a gift to yourself
Give up resolutions and just make a to-do list.
List all the things that you would like to do or happen for you in the year. From the short term to the long term, list them all if you can. If you want to start or finish building, if you want to go back to college, if you want to get married, if you want to start a business, if you want to make more money, if you want to work less, if you want to travel more etc.
Make a list and display it where you will be able to see it every single day.
Include the MO (Modus Operandi)
Next to each item on the list write down what you will do to achieve the goal. For instance, if you are building or buying a large ticket item write next to building or buying a car; I will set aside 25% of my income each month for this project. The same if you want a beautiful home write I will spend X hours every weekend making sure my home and its surrounds are smart. If you want a more relaxing year, write I will pamper myself by doing something I enjoy and is relaxing once a month or I will only make commitments I am 100% sure I am able to fulfill. And so on and so forth…
Make your list a positive and doable one.
Find a friend to Join You
Get a friend to do the same thing as you and turn it into a competition (maybe with a prize at the end). This way you will be constantly reminded about what you need to do and where you need to be. Be careful to choose a reliable and goal driven friend. If you have none, it is time you got one but do not choose someone because you want to change them or because you want to beat them at something. Get a friend that will support you, encourage you and one you will do the same for.
To increase your chances for success, tell your families and solicit their support.
Track your progress
Track the smaller items and easiest to achieve first. This will be a morale booster and these small gains will encourage you when it comes to the bigger things. The idea is to keep at it and not give up. And to be proud of any successes, to change or ditch the MO you chose at the beginning that is not working or to maybe change your list altogether and start again.
Keep tracking your progress (and your friend’s) and identify areas that are stagnant, not working or are near completion.
