Make 2011 your best year yet!

I’ve had a great year in 2010 after 2 extremely challenging years. The recovery started slowly but by July had gained momentum and my billings were back to pre GFC days by the end of the quarter.
Perhaps 2010 wasn’t quite the year you had planned. If that was the case, it doesn’t really matter because every year is about learning and developing so that you can reach your potential in life.

The end of a year is always a good time to reflect on what has happened and look forward to a brighter, better future. Why not take some time to go through the following process and set up a plan for 2011 to be your best year yet.
What did I accomplish in this year?

This is a great starting point for setting goals. Even if you had a “shocker” of a year , there will have been some good points. Really spend some time reflecting on the year and write down your accomplishments. Perhaps you were a top performer in your organization, perhaps you got married or bought a house, perhaps your learnt something new this year.

It is really important for a balanced life to pat yourself on the back for what you have achieved, regardless of how significant or insignificant it may seem to others. Rarely do we reflect on what we have achieved in a week, let alone a year. By shifting your awareness to what you have achieved this year you will be setting yourself up for success when planning next year. Often we spend so much time listening to that little (or for some very big) negative voice inside that we don’t spend time acknowledging our achievements.

What were my biggest disappointments this year?What dreams didn’t come true for you this year? What did you do that you wish now you hadn’t? What ended for you?
Spend some time and make a list of all the stuff you wish hadn’t happened or that you were disappointed about this year. Perhaps you didn’t lose that weight you said you would, or your relationship ended or a business failed. Perhaps you didn’t bill what you thought you would.
Why is this of value? Simply that it is important that you understand exactly where you are right now before you start setting goals for the future. By looking at what went well and what didn’t go so well you have both the positive and negative with which to move forward. To have your best year yet in 2011, you need to understand where you are right now, rebalance your sense of yourself and make room for new possibilities.

What did I learn?Take a minute to look over your accomplishments list and consider – what was the secret to my success? Why was I able to achieve that? What did I learn about myself this year? Then do the same with your disappointments list. What would have worked better? Why didn’t it work? What was the lesson? If I were an observer, what advice would I give myself? Avoid judgment here, just be objective and write it down.
Really consider what changes you need to make to be the best you can be and have the life that you really want.
In your experience of this past year is your recipe for success; increasing income; building better relationships; taking better care of yourself. What does this information tell you about who you want to be?
Now here is the painful bit. To have your best year yet you must understand how you limit yourself and how to make it stop.

How do I limit myself and how can I make it stop?Think through your accomplishments, your disappointments and your learning around the last year. Do you see some patterns emerging? Could it be that every year pretty much the same thing happens? You start a diet in January each year and by February you are back to your old eating habits? Could it be that you have created limiting beliefs around money or success or lifestyle (I couldn’t possibly have that?)
Make a list of your limiting beliefs. For example I’m not worth that much money or I could never have a relationship with XXX sort of person. Ask yourself the question and wait for your inner voice to respond.
Remember we attract what we think about whether we want it or don’t want it. Have you heard the saying “what you resist persists?” (The Secret by Rhonda Byrne will help with this philosophy).

In what areas of my life am I not achieving what I want?This is the first step in the paradigm shift that will occur to allow you to experience your best year yet. Make a list of what areas in your life are not the way you want them to be.

What are my personal values?
Coaching taught me that all behavior emanates from an individual’s values and beliefs. If I have a belief about myself, then I will act it out for the world. Take some time to think about what is most important to you in your life – relationships? Status? Money? Making a contribution? What gets you out of bed in the morning? What really drives to behave in a certain way?
Understanding and articulating your values helps you understand yourself and perhaps with that understanding you will realize how you are holding yourself back.

What roles do I play in my life?Thinking about the roles you play in your life helps provide direction and places your values at the centre of your life where they should be. Your roles provide the framework in which to set and achieve goals. Make a list of all the roles you currently play in your life. Do you have a dream role for next year?

Which role is my major focus for next year?Reflect on your personal values and how you want them to impact each role you currently play. To help you do this ask yourself:
• If I could put one problem behind me what would it be?
• In which role do I want significant change?
• What’s stopping me from being happy right now?
• What would I love to accomplish in the next year?
What are my goals for each role?
Set goals for each role, ensuing they are SMART goals:
• Specific
• Measurable
• Attributable to me
• Realistic
• Time frame attached

A specific sentence in present tense works best. I feel sexy weighing 55kg by December 2011
What are my top 10 goals for next year?
Before you select your ten most important goals for next year, review everything you have written down. Remind yourself of what really matters to you and why. Select the goals that mean the most to you and if achieved would really make a difference to your life. Once you have done this, prioritize your list, putting the most important one first.

Staying on trackThe best way I have found to stay on track is to make them visible. I have my goals stuck on my bathroom mirror so that I can’t miss them when I go in there!
Set actions to ensure that you reach your goals. I find 90, 60, 30 and 7 day actions work best for me. Review and revise regularly and you will be well on your way to 2011 being your best year yet.
If you are still having trouble staying on track or if you really want to “stretch” yourself then get yourself a coach who is trained to help you achieve your goals! If you would like to talk with me about a coaching program, then please do so.

This article is based on “your Best Year Yet” by Jinny Ditzler; published by Harper Element, a division of Harper Collins.
Need help with setting goals? Then contact me and arrange a coaching session to help you clarify what is important to you.