NEW YEAR, NEW YOU!: 5 JUICY STEPS TO ACHIEVING YOUR 2012 GOALS

1. REFLECT 

If you have not yet had a chance to reflect on 2011, then I suggest to make yourself a cuppa, get comfy, and do it. Everybody has a different method that they use to reflect. Personally, I like to journal. Yet, some people would rather just review things in their mind. It is totally up to you how you do it, but it is definitely a must before you sit down to work on your new years goals.

Think back over 2011 and ask yourself these questions

+ What did I achieve?
+ What were the highlights?
+ What am I most proud of?
+ What is my biggest learning?
+ How did I grow and/or change?
+ What would I have done differently?
+ What did I not achieve in 2011, that I want to achieve in 2012?

This exercise not only makes you remember all the fantastic things you have experienced and created throughout the past year, but it also helps you get clarity on where you are now, and how you want to move forward from here.

2. SET S.M.A.R.T GOALS

I was having a conversation with my boyfriend the other day about our goals for 2012, and I realised something. I realised that not many people know how to really write a goal. You ability to achieve your goals will be compromised if you are not clear on how to set them.

I highly recommend you use the SMART Model when setting goals

Specific
Measurable
Action-oriented
Realistic
Time based

You also want to write the goal as if it has already happened


EXAMPLE:
A poorly written goal is: I want to lose weight

A SMART Goal is: It is now December 31st 2012 and I weigh 65 kg's. I perform half an hour of cardio training and half an hour of strength training 5 days per week, and I feel fantastic.

3. CREATE NEW RITUALS

I picked up this tip from watching a short clip on goal setting by Tony Robbins. You can check it out here.

Look at where you are now, and ask yourself 'What rituals (or habits) have got me to this place?" Then think about where you want to be, and ask yourself "What rituals or habits will get me there?"

You see, if you want different results, you are going to have to start doing things differently. Makes sense right?

Ponder these questions

+ What new habits do you need to create?
+ What habits do you need to let go of?
+ What do you need to do differently?
+ What rituals will take you where you want to go?
+ What rituals will take you away from where you want to go?


4. MAKE A VISION BOARD

A vision board can be created on a pinboard using photos, pictures or images from magazines. Or it can be done on your computer using a slide show of photos or images or using a program such as Picassa.

Rather than explaining the how to create one of these magical little tools, I thought you might like to see how these amazing ladies are doing it;

+ Jess Ainscough from Wellness Warrior gives an awesome step by step guide here

+ Denisse Duffield Thomas from Lucky Bitch explains it so well here 

+ Rachel Magahy from In Spaces Between has a beautiful example here

Then, once you have your vision board, place it in an area where you will see it daily. Repetition is key. Whenever you look at it imagine yourself living a life where all these dreams have already come true. Connect with the feeling of having it on a daily basis.

5. LET GO

Here is the clincher.

After working hard to create your goals, make your vision board and take lots of new actions, no doubt you will be wanting some return for all your efforts. But here is one thing you must find a way to do, and that is let go.

You have to loosen your grip on that outcome you want so desperately. You have to take a deep breath and relax about where you are. The more you watch and wait and become impatient about whether or not your results are coming, the more you are going to get in the way of their manifestation.

Instead cultivate a calm expectation. A knowing. A strong sense of belief that these dreams you desire are on their way to you. Know they are done.

When you set your goals with a sense of certainty, you can afford to wait for their manifestation, because it is not about IF they are coming. It is simply about WHEN.

So just chill out. Be light hearted and playful about it all. Love where you are now and enjoy all the fabulous things that are already great about you and your life. When you give off an energy of happiness and a feeling of already being complete, the Universe cannot help but bring you even more to make you feel happy about.

Now over to you...

In 2012, one of my goals is to connect with YOU, my reader, even more. So, I would love to hear from you.

+ What goals have you set for 2012?
+ What steps will you be taking to achieve them?