Set Yourself up for Success This New Year

It?s 2008 and just as you did last year, and the year before that, you?ve probably set some New Year?s resolutions By the time you get to February, these will be long forgotten as you get caught up with the daily grind of life

It?s 2008 and just as you did last year, and the year before that, you?ve probably set some New Year?s resolutions. By the time you get to February, these will be long forgotten as you get caught up with the daily grind of life.

Why not make a fresh start this year and do things differently by following this simple 5 step process. It?s easy, effective and very practical. It will help you make the changes that you know you need to make to bring new happiness into your life . . . starting right here, right now.

STEP 1: ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS

Take a few moments and reflect upon the past 12 months. Think about the high points and low points. Spend at least 5 minutes reviewing your past achievements. Then write down your answers to the following questions:

-My biggest achievements in 2007 were
-Some of the things I wanted to achieve but didn?t are
-What stopped me was

STEP 2: CREATE YOUR FUTURE

As you sit here, contemplating the year ahead, realize that many of the things you do want in your life CAN happen. So cut out three paper circles and title them ?same,? ?better? and ?best.? These are your 2008 film reels. Now think about the year ahead and what you really want out of all the areas in your life?relationships, career, money, personal growth, health, family and friends, social life and your physical environment. Then pick up the film reel you want to choose: ?same,? ?better,? or ?best.? Now write the script for that film.

STEP 3: MAKE IT FEEL REAL

Walt Disney once said, ?If you can dream it, you can do it.? What you imagine is a powerful precursor to success. That?s why your next activity is to create a Vision Board. Simply go through some magazines and cut out pictures that visually represent what your achievement looks like, feels like, smells like, and sounds like. Pick out images, colors, words, and patterns that best represent your most important dreams and achievements for the year ahead. Then make a collage of your pictures. Reflect upon these and really feel what it would be like to achieve your dreams.

STEP 4: PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE JOURNEY

Whenever you instigate any change, you create resistance. After all, it?s so much more comfortable sitting in the comfort zone isn?t it? But if you want things to be different, then you?re going to have to make changes. In a journal, draw three columns going across the page and title them ?the change,? ?the obstacle,? and ?the solution.? In the first column, list the changes that you will need to make to bring your 2008 aspirations into reality. In the second column write any obstacles and finally, brainstorm and come up with some solutions. You will notice, that when there is a will, there?s a way!

STEP 5: PRIORITIZE AND GO FOR IT!

Now it?s time to summarize and prioritize. Being focused is important for turning ideas into action. Put the first things first, and make sure your goals are specific and achievable and that you have a ?support person? to keep you on target. To finish, review all the good work you have done so far and make a list of no more than 5 goals. Nominate somebody to whom you will be accountable to, and determine how and when you will update them.

Finally, remember that you can do anything if you really put your mind to it. If you?d like some extra support and inspiration to stay motivated and on track, why not sign up for my free downloadable One Big Gulp! Kit, which you will find at www.onebiggulp.com. Remember, it?s your life, your choice, so live your greatest life!

Gabriella Goddard is a leading success coach and author of the top selling book Gulp!: the 7 day crash course to master fear and break through any challenge. Her clients include senior executives, career professionals, TV presenters, authors and entrepreneurs. She invites readers to sign up for her free One Big Gulp! Kit at http://www.onebiggulp.com.