You probably feel that this year came and went by very fast. I want to encourage you to make this new year one of your best years ever!

How will this new year be any different from the previous one for you?

The answer is simple: it will only differ if you make it different. Picture the passing year as a track you have been running on for the last 12 months.

The new year will only be a new year for you if you run on a different track. Otherwise, there will be nothing new to the “new” year. Normally things in life don’t change magically.

Most people who are fit is because they exercise regularly, they eat healthy and don’t over eat – it’s not a mystery! Those who excel in academics pay the price of dedication and determination to see their dreams become a reality.

I’d like to share some practical ideas about planning and goal setting.

Managing Your Time

My wife often says that whether you accomplish something or not, time goes by. Time has no respect for our goals…it just keeps ticking. So it is up to us to develop respect for our time so we can accomplish our goals.

Could this be an area of improvement for you this new year?

If you improved in the area of time management, how much more could you accomplish this new year?

Reflecting and Planning

Typically, I dedicate the month of December to reflect on my life during the current year and to start projecting myself into the coming year. Thirty one days to reflect and to look ahead. I encourage my family to do the same during this month.

On January 1st, my family and I spend a couple of hours writing down our goals and plans of action for the new year. It’s wonderful to see our two daughters involved in this process as they plan for changes and improvements they want to make.

This is a wonderful gift for our children and they can start getting practice in this area very early in life.

Write Down Your Goals

Setting goals and planning should be done strategically.

A written goal is most likely to be achieved than the one that exists only in thought form. For many people writing down their goals may be an intimidating task. However, something happens when goals are written down.

You are filled with a sense of responsibility, which can be a source of encouragement, to accomplish your goal.

Write Down Your Action Plan

Writing your goals on paper is great! It demonstrates your willingness to accomplish it. However, a good intention without an action plan, it’s just that – a good intention.

After determining each goal ask yourself, “How am I going to accomplish my stated goal.”

This question will provide you the action plan you need.

Follow Up Periodically

The progress of your goals needs to be assessed periodically so you can measure your progress and determine if you are on target.

If you plan as a family unit I recommend you have a quarterly review meeting of you goals. Make it fun and help each member of the family where help is needed.

If you are single, become accountable to someone, and have the quarterly review meeting over some coffee or hot tea. Accountability is a great tool that can help us achieve our goals.

Accountability

I suggest you find someone to be accountable to for your goals. I want to encourage you to take action and create the changes you desire.So I am making myself available to you as an accountability partner. Just email me your written goals and we’ll schedule the quarterly review phone meetings.

Goal Setting Tool

I have designed a goal setting tool to assist you as you work on your goals.

It is designed so you can write your goals, your action plans and follow up on a quarterly basis. It also contains sections where you can manage, track and work on all your tasks.

Please email me with any questions you may have about using this tool.

Click the image to download it!

Write down your deepest aspirations that you’d like to accomplish in the next twelve months?

Best!

Nestor Lima

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Vision is a mental picture – imagination- of something you have a passion to accomplish in the future. It allows you to see where you are going. Therefore, vision is always futuristic.  You cannot fulfill your vision with your eyes fixed on the rear-view mirror of life!

What are you risking by living without having a vision for your life? What danger do you face by now not knowing the following:

• How you want to influence others
• What results you want to see in people under your sphere of influence
• What is your primary contribution in this world

If you have decided to drift through life —living purposelessly—no matter how big the loss, it won’t mean much to you. If, however, you believe that your existence is proof that this world needs something that resides inside you, then you make a commitment to extract this gift from within and you make it available to others.

What generates vision?

During job interviews, potential candidates are asked, “Where you do see yourself one, three or five years from now?”

Lately, am asking people, “What is your vision for your life? The majority are living day-to-day. They are unable to articulate or paint a clear picture of their future. Their future seems to depend on all the wrong things.

A vision needs to be generated by more than you imagination of fleeting desires. You can’t just pull it out of thin air. It requires something to generate it and then you can visualize it…capture it; embrace it, live into it!

Where there is no vision people perish, according to Proverbs 29:18. The reason people perish is lack of vision; they have no vision because they haven’t identified their life purpose. Your life purpose, which is God’s original intention for your existence, generates your vision.  Your vision gives way to a new realm of possibilities! Now that you know why you exist and the treasure your possess inside, you can see into the future —vision—based on what you are capable of doing.

When you fully capture and embrace that vision, you tap into a fountain of personal motivation you didn’t know existed. The more clear you vision, the more you can draw from this fountain. Initially you possess the vision…eventually the vision possess you. This is when you become unstoppable and pursue the fulfillment of your vision relentlessly.

What should I do if I don’t have a personal vision?

If your life purpose is not clear, neither is your vision. If you have no vision for your life or it’s just not very clear, you owe it to yourself and to all humanity to discover your life purpose and allow it to generate a clear and concise vision of your future.

Encounter 1K

Is my desire to empower at least 1,000 people to discover their life purpose this year. In doing so, I envision people expanding God’s kingdom, being more fruitful, more effective, more confident, living with focus and direction instead of spinning their wheels, existing but not living, going nowhere and being a mere product of their environment.

A treasure lies within you waiting to be discovered.

When I had an Encounter with my life purpose, it was as if purpose looked at me in my brown eyes and said, “Thank you for seeking me diligently. I’ve been waiting for you. Now, let’s go make it happen!”

If you are unsure about your life purpose, I invite you to join Encounter 1K by visiting http://www.nestorlima.com/encounter-1000/ . Sign up and I will personally walk with you in a journey to discover it. I work with a maximum of 12 people each quarter. Get more details online.

The greatest human tragedy…unfulfilled purpose!

Nestor Lima
Life Coach, Speaker, Author

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Self-Discipline is the Highest Form of Discipline.

To exercise self-discipline a compelling reason must exist. Otherwise, there is no point to restrain or deprive yourself of something.

In my experience, there is no greater reason for self-discipline, than a vision for your life, generated by your life purpose. This vision allows you to see into the future and realize what you are capable of achieving. In addition, it reveals the personal changes you need to make to fulfill your vision.

Initially, you capture the vision…eventually you become captured by your vision. When this happens, you become unstoppable; you change from a procrastinator to an achiever.

The excitement released by your vision causes you to make an honest assessment of yourself. This self-evaluation reveals all the areas of your life in which you lack self-control….someone or something else governs that part of your life. It awakens you to the reality that without gaining control in these areas, no matter how big your vision, you risk the possibility of not achieving it. This awareness provides you the most compelling reason to exercise self-discipline.

How I lost 10 pounds in two weeks!

I was out of control -another way of saying I lacked self-discipline- when it came to eating unhealthy foods. It seems that they controlled me and I was their victim…stuffing myself with all kinds of sweets and carbohydrates. The typical diet in my Hispanic culture is full of fats, sweets and carbs.

I have never connected personal character with my lack of self-discipline in regards to food. Then one day it suddenly dawned on me, ‘If cant’ say NO to unhealthy and tempting foods, I cannot say NO to temptation and sin.’ The same principle operates in both cases…lack of self-discipline.

To this enlightenment, I added the fact in order to fulfill my vision, I need to be healthy. I took this opportunity, not so much to lose weight but to build my character. Every time I can stand unmoved by the temptation of unhealthy foods, something inside me is getting stronger. I have reduced about 90% of carbs from my diet and the pounds are coming off! I am becoming a master of myself instead of being mastered by these external elements. This quality is indispensable to fulfill my life purpose and my vision.

By exercising self-disciplining in this area, I have done in two weeks something I hadn’t been able to in over ten years!

Where do you need self-discipline?

Choose one area of your life that you need to exercise self-control.

• Speech…controlling what comes out of your mouth.
• Health…controlling what goes into your mouth.
• Finances…managing your money better…not being compulsive.
• Procrastination….managing your time well.

Do you have a compelling reason to be disciplined?

The highest form of discipline is self-discipline…Self-imposed, dictated by the values that guide your life, motivated by your vision, generated by your life purpose!

Nestor Lima

Life Coach, Speaker, Author

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There is a specific reason why each of us is born. A task has been assigned for each of us to accomplish during the days ordained for us. The days ordained for you are different from those ordained for me.

Original Masterpieces

When God created you, He didn’t use a mold―and if He did, He used it once and then broke it! No one has ever, nor will ever, have your identical fingerprints. Simply said: There are no two of you.

You and I are unique and original masterpieces. Whenever I turn on my laptop computer, I don’t type in a password. Instead, I swipe my thumb on the digital fingerprint reader. This is possible in part to the technology available, but more importantly, because in more than 6 billion people currently living on planet Earth, no one else has the same fingerprint as I do. Thousands could line up and swipe their thumb on the reader of my laptop, but it wouldn’t work for anyone else, just me. I love uniqueness!

There is only ONE of you! Even identical twins are different in personalities, interest and so on. There has never been, there isn’t and there will never be another human being identical to you!

What should you do with your uniqueness?

Treasure it. Embrace it. Love it! Your uniqueness doesn’t make you inferior or superior to anyone else; it makes you different! It is very easy to live out your difference in a world where many people are trying to be like some body else.

Stand out. Be you. Be original. Be different. Live out your uniqueness!

Nestor Lima

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If you don’t know where you’re going, any vehicle will take you there. If you don’t aim at anything, you will always hit your target. It is hard to arrive at a place you have not yet defined.

Traveling doesn’t guarantee that you will arrive somewhere. If you haven’t identified your destination and you decide to travel, how will you know when you get there?

How will you get there?

The means of transportation you choose is determined by your destination. Imagine waking up one day and wanting to go somewhere, but you don’t really know where. You walk to the nearest bus stop or subway. You board the first vehicle that comes your way. The fact that you don’t know where it’s going doesn’t bother you a bit. In fact, it doesn’t even matter because you have no clear picture of your desired destination anyway. Sadly, this scenario depicts the life of many individuals around the world.

People who don’t know their life purpose are as a ship without a navigation system in the sea of life. They also lack:

• Stability: They are unstable in most areas of their lives.

• Progress: They seem to be in the same place as they were years ago. They don’t make significant progress in their finances or their personal and spiritual development.

• Confidence: They are more prone to avoid situations because they lack the self-assurance to confront them.

• Direction: They don’t have a set course in life; they always follow. They become people pleasers.

• Decisiveness: Life is composed of a series of constant decisions. Since they don’t know where they’re going, decisions become a dreaded task.

Determine to discover your life purpose and to live with confidence and direction. Your life purpose is the billboard that points you in the right direction.

The book Encounter With Purpose, will guide you in the wonderful journey to discover your life purpose. Add this great tool to your library!

Have you discovered your life purpose?

I’ve love to hear from you!

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Some sources from which we can derive certain degrees of significance include love, acceptance, trust, a profession or trade, a social status, a job, or a relationship―especially marital.

These are good sources and can certainly make us feel better about ourselves.

However, the main problem with them is their susceptibility to change. These sources are subject to change at any moment.

Therefore, there are two sources of significance: stable and unstable.

Here are some examples of unstable sources of significance:

• A person who says that he or she loves, accepts and trusts you deeply, can turn against you in a flash.

• A relationship can end due to death or disagreement.

• A profession or trade can be lost due to economic problems or technological advances.

• A social status can crumble due to a poor decision.

• A job can disappear overnight.

Life Purpose

To truly enjoy the sense of worth and significance we all seek, we need to turn to a stable source―the kind that remains unwavering when we experience the loss of a certain social status, a job, or even a loved one.

We need something that will support us even when everything around us falls apart.

The only source that can provide such support is your life purpose.

Identity

Purpose gives us identity. It defines the core of our being.

Significance is highly derived from our identity.

Your life purpose is the invisible umbilical cord that connects and identifies you with your Creator. This connection provides you the greatest sense of significance possible.

Who you are is defined by whose you are.

The external and unstable sources only define our profession, where we live, where we shop, what we wear and what we drive.

Encounter With Purpose

Are you ready for an encounter with your life purpose?

Do you desire to live with a higher sense of meaning and self-worth?

My latest book Encounter With Purpose will guide you step-by-step through a fascinating journey to discover the reason for your existence.

Order your copy today!

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It is possible to be at peace with others, while wagging great battles inside us.

These battles may oppose fiercely our desire to fully accept and embrace ourselves. Feelings such as inadequacy and inferiority can be symptoms of the battles within.

Often we have physical features that we struggle to accept fully. It may be the height, a birthmark, the nose, the ears, the lips and so on.

If we were teased or called names because of a prominent feature, as we were growing, then it can affect us into our adult years and hinder us from making peace with ourselves—if we do not deal properly with it.

What Is Peace With Self?

You know you have conquered this battle when you can look into the mirror and absolutely love every inch of your glorious body! Being at peace with self is accepting:

• The color of your skin, eyes and hair

• The tone of your voice

• Your name

• Your height and make-up

• Your nationality and culture

• The family to which you were born

• The period in time in which you were born

How Do You Make Peace With Self?

Peace with self is never achieved by listening to the voice of your critics, but rather by seeing yourself through the eyes of your Designer.

You are a masterpiece! You are fully and adequately designed to carry out your life purpose.

If you cannot make peace with yourself, it will be difficult for you to live out your life purpose—you will resent who you are.

If there are areas that you have not fully embraced about you, seek competent help. A life coach can assist you in this important matter.

I have a self-image quiz designed to help you gauge where you stand in this area.

Request it, fill it out, return it, I will evaluate it based on your responses, and then e-mail send you individual results!

What things have you tried doing to make peace with your self?

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Have you ever said, “I need to change this?” There are a variety of reasons for failing to create changes we desire.

Consider the following three keys whenever you set out to change something about yourself.

The Motive

Let’s start with the motive.

Do you want to change, or is it someone else who wants you to change?

There’s nothing wrong with someone else encouraging the change. However, if the desire doesn’t come from within, the change will not be permanent.

As soon as the external motivator is gone, you return right back, to your old ways.

Change cannot be imposed upon by someone else.

The Catalyst

You do want to change, but you are not making much progress. The will to change is not enough to change!

What is the catalyst for change?

What mechanisms you do have in place?

The answer…accountability!

Accountability is a powerful tool.

The moment you think about being accountable for your actions to someone else, your perspective shifts. Now, before you engage in the old behavior, you think twice. You know you will receive the daily, or weekly call from your accountability partner and this serves as a deterrent.

This is one of the reasons that life coaching is so effective.We hold our clients accountable for the goals they want to achieve and the changes they desire to make.

I have seen procrastinators change into great achievers!

In sports, whenever a team is not performing well, they take a deep look at the coach!

How is your catalyst for change working?

The Reward

The ability to say, “I used to __________ but I don’t any more”, is so empowering!

You now have control over that “thing” that controlled you in the past. It can be a bad personal habit, or even things of a bigger nature. But whatever it may be, it no longer controls you.

Make a list of things you would like to change or improve.

Consider your motives, use the right tool, and envision your rewards…a better you!

Change is a possibility!

What steps have worked in your life to make changes?

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Have you ever faced a problem in which possibilities for a solution seemed almost impossible?

Maybe you see a bleak possibility-but that’s it, just one! And this seemingly individual solution, does not provide the outcome you desire or you hope for!

For 99% of problems faced in life there is always more than one solution.

How come we barely see one, if any?

Largely is due to way in which we approach the problem at hand.

Here’s a tip that may help you approach a difficulty: Take a B.A.T.H. No kidding, this can help you greatly!

This is how it works.

B.A.T.H.

B. Background

Ensure you know all the details about the situation. Do not jump to a conclusion based on partial or imagined information.

Break the problems into small pieces.

Deal with one part at a time.

A. Ask

Ask powerful questions to yourself and anyone else involved. These questions can reveal not just one possible solution, but many others to consider.Questions can open up our perspective and allow us to see deeper and wider.

Some of the key questions to ask include:

• If I was an outsider looking at my situation, how would I see it?

• Has anyone else faced a similar situation and how have they solved it?

• What is the worst thing that can happen?

T. Timing

Most of the issues faced do not require an answer or a solution immediately.

Typically, when we receive the bad news or face a problem, it is not the best time to make a decision. It is a good practice to avoid making important decisions after a long day when you are completely exhausted. If it is possible, confront situations when you are well rested.

The same applies when you are looking for solutions to a problem.

Today you may not see a solution but it doesn’t mean that tomorrow you won’t. if possible, don’t feel obligated to find a solution immediately.

As time passes and you analyze the situation, additional answers will become more evident.

H. Health

We all face problems big, small and in between.

Consider the physical and even mental effects of handling problems with a mentality that “there are no solutions for my difficulty.” Such negative approach is responsible, not only for affecting our health, but in severe cases it has led to homicides and suicides.

Sadly, when a man ends his own life, or someone’s else, is because he only sees ONE solution for his problem.

Imagine facing life with a perspective that there is always more than one solutions for any problem!

And the key to unlock those additional answers is simply to take a B.A.T.H.!

Share your story!

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