Ready, Set, (Go)als !

I can NOT believe it! We are halfway into the year. Does it not feel like just yesterday we were celebrating with friends, family, and beloved ones, or if you are anything like me, in the comfort of your home? As we approach the end of the year and prepare to embark on a new chapter, we often take a minute to pause and reflect on the year that has lapsed. Whether it’s accomplishments we achieved or disappointments we encountered, it is those experiences that inspire us to strive to be the best version of ourselves and allow opportunities for growth.

Like most of us, we enter the year setting resolutions. We have high hopes with the desire to increase the quality of our life; physical health, family, education, employment, wealth, security to freedom, religious beliefs, and/or the environment. How often do we fail  to uphold our resolutions for the year?”

Let’s face it, New Year’s resolutions tend to be difficult to commit to; we start off strong for the first few weeks, but eventually we find that those resolutions diminish until it is non-existent. In fact, according to U.S. News & World report, 80 percent of New Year’s Resolutions fail ¹ — the reasons differing for each individual. For me, it came down to; (1) not prioritizing, (2) allowing circumstances to control/dictate my life, (3) losing sight of the very thing that had potential to improve on, and (4) a lack of motivation. These are my downfalls (as well as many other things). 

I was compelled to write this post with the intent to encourage, motivate, and share with you what has empowered me to persevere to attain purpose and happiness in my life. I am mindful that some of us struggle to keep up with our resolutions. My wish for you, after reading this post, would be that you would find a glimmer of hope and inspiration to pick up where you left off and finish what you have started. We are all capable of doing more than we give ourselves credit for. When we alter our approach on how we perceive our resolutions, we are then able to fulfill those commitments we intended for ourselves. And what’s beautiful about life is, as long as you’re still breathing you have unlimited opportunities to reset and start over. 

With that in mind, here are five tips that I would like to highlight that have encouraged me to press forward.

1.  Find Your Why

My former business coach could not have explained the importance of your why any better. To quote her: “Your why is what calls you into action. Your why is something that inspires you on a profound level and will have you race any adversity with a smile. Your why keeps you going when everything else is telling you to stop.” 

Given that change is inevitable, you can expect your why to change. I find myself revisiting my why depending on where I am in life. Doing so has motivated and provided me with a sense of clarity on what I need to do to achieve my goals and how I intend to get there. It is those moments when you feel like giving up or are fed up with your situations/circumstances that your why should be the fuel that calls you into action.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself to get to the core of identifying your why.

● Why is this important to me?
● Why does it matter?
● How will accomplishing this make me feel?
● How will it impact/affect those around me (family, friends, spouse, etc.)?

Whatever your intentions are, just remember to dig deep to the root of it. If it makes you emotional and/or leads to tears, that is a perfect indication that you have discovered your purpose — your why.

2. Turn Your Resolutions Into Goals

Resolutions are difficult to commit to – a common reason why they tend to fail is because they are not made up of goals. Distinguishing the difference between the two terms (goals and resolutions), that are often used interchangeably, is relevant if you are aiming to be successful.  Although the two intertwine, it’s important to recognize that resolutions are generally broad and vague  —  there are no strategies in place on how things must be done. 

Resolution – a resolve; a decision or determination. ²

Goals on the other hand, are definite and clear.

Goal – the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end. ³

Your goals should be S.M.A.R.T (specific, measurable, attainable/achievable, relevant/realistic and timely) and enable you to set clear intentions and direction toward attaining your goals, whether it is short-term or long-term goals. Resolutions without goals are ineffective. Your resolutions are more likely to become a reality when you turn them into goals. I find that simplifying your goals by breaking them down into daily, weekly or monthly goals and writing them down in planner/journal make them more achievable. Maybe start bullet journaling!

3. Visualize Your Goals

Visualization is a valuable and powerful tool that I think we often overlook or underestimate. It’s essentially the key that has the potential to unlock our dreams and goals through mental imagery or visual representation, if done correctly. We have the ability to manifest and attract the life we desire to have, when we’re focused on the who, what, where, when, why and how. 

Creating a vision board is an effective visual representation that enables you to focus on your goals, and can help you to live the life you aspire to achieve.

Vision Board – a collage of pictures, text, and other items that represent and affirm one’s dreams and ambitions, created to help visualize and focus on one or more specific aspirations: ⁴

It is important that your vision board is specific so that you and that you can visualize yourself performing the desired actions. It should evoke an emotional response. It should bring clarity to your goals and dreams, empowering you to focus your intentions on that which you are longing for.

What you focus on grows!

Your vision board should serve as a visual reminder of the life you have always imagined.  Devote time daily visualizing, affirming and internalizing your goals. It’s then you will attract and witness the positive manifestations that will occur in your life.

4. Support. Support. Support!

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of having people in your life who you can lean on and confide in at any given time. No matter how independent you think you are, you need people in your circle. It is those you build relationships with (based on quality not quantity); who will empower you, support you, validate and affirm you. Remember, not everyone is going to support your choices/decisions you make towards achieving your goals and dreams. Surround yourself with the right people! My inner circle has tremendously helped me  both mentally and emotionally. It is those who you keep close; who understand you, who you trust, that will  always be there for you when you need them. Having a supportive inner circle will add value to your life and contribute to your success. 

5.  Just Do It!

This step is self-explanatory; however, I will leave you with this: Whatever it is you aspire to do or be, you can do it!  You are no less than the next person who is achieving their goals. The only difference between you and them is, they did it, and so can you. A lot of the time we allow fear to prevent us from achieving the very things that we truly desire to do or be. Fear hinders us from discovering our life purpose and true potential. I can acknowledge that fear and anxiety are emotions that I struggle with, but I am gradually taking steps forward. The time is now. Remember your “why”. We all have to start from somewhere. Do not live a life full of regrets, as a result of missed opportunities because of fear. What’s the worst that can happen? 

“Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What’s important is the action. You don’t have to wait to be confident. Just do it and eventually the confidence will follow.” – Carrie Fisher