It’s hard to believe that we’re at the end of a year, a decade and whatever else we want to let go. At this time of year, most of us reflect on what worked and what didn’t work in our past in hopes that we have more of what we do want, and less of what we don’t want. To make the most of this process, there are a few simple strategies that I use to ensure success.
Reset
The first step in successfully achieving resolutions is to make sure you are in energetic alignment with yourself. Mindfulness and alignment make it easier to take actions that are in alignment with your goals instead of making excuses.
Years ago, I created this habit of swimming at sunrise. I hadn’t tried that in years. But last week, I thought that was the perfect way for me to reset. As such, for five days, I woke up between 5-6 am and went swimming. The act of swimming at sunrise forced me to be the present moment, allowed me to fell the satisfaction of knowing that I could do something that I wanted to do and that I could overcome fear when it was in my best interests. Just like most, I’m typically afraid of the cold of the ocean when I first jump in. Every day that I practiced this routine, I felt that everyday noise was drafting away. I no longer felt distracted by ideas that didn’t matter to me. Furthermore, I felt that my entire life was under my control. Swimming might not be the right path for you, but any activity that enables you to reset is best before setting your goals.
Only Focus on the Important
Years ago, I read the Mastering the Rockefeller Habits, and I still practice what I learned in that book every day. Reaching goals is about discipline and setting priorities. Furthermore, if you set too many goals, you won’t be successful. The main takeaway that I learned is only set up to 5 goals in 90 and 5 year time horizons. Once those five goals are created, you can prioritize each day in alignment with your top goals. For your resolution, visualize what five things you’d like to achieve to achieve your five years goals for your life.
These goals can be focussed on health, wealth, career, family, or adventure. Next, figure out what you can do in the next 90 days to get you closer to these goals. Those should be your resolutions. Every day you’ll re-read your 5-year goals and will be reinspired to do what you set out to do. Furthermore, by selecting 90 days, you’ll achieve your resolution in 90 days instead of needing to wait an entire year.
Find a Community
Community and accountability always make it easier to reach your objectives. At EnrichHER, we’ve created a community that helps women-led businesses grow. EnrichHER is just one of the types of communities that might be helpful in achieving your resolutions. When I moved to Atlanta, I was determined to have different communities of friends that loved fitness, healthy food, civic engagement, the arts, and comedy. I started joining meet up groups that focused on each of these areas separately. By doing so, I was able to build a community that would remind me about different events in alignment with my interests. Being part of a community of likeminded people, kept me engaged, and made me extremely happy. This same strategy can apply to most resolutions. A community gives you accountability, helps build friendships, and keeps you on the path of your goals.
By resetting, creating a 5 point strategic plan, and joining a community, you can prepare for the new year and achieve your resolutions with ease.