My most sincere desire is that you’ve had a wonderful and productive year!
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
This post was written by
nestor – who has written 19 posts on Nestor Lima Life Coaching.
