Tips to Plan for the Coming Year

As you set goals or make choices for the New Year, here are three guidelines to follow: 

• Phrase your choices in the NOW , as though you’ve already achieved it. Use “I am…” or “I allow myself to …” statements.

• Phrase your choices in the POSITIVE . Focus on the solution rather on what you don’t want. The mind doesn’t translate words of negation, such as not , don’t , or stop , because it thinks in pictures. If you set a goal that “I will quit smoking,” it’s hard for your mind to see a picture of NOT smoking.  If you set a goal that “I allow myself to be a nonsmoker,” you can picture being a nonsmoker, as that’s something you can see — other people who aren’t smoking. Create goals or make choices that the mind can visualize.

• Eliminate the words “WANT” and “TRY.” Would you rather want the perfect relationship, or would you rather have the perfect relationship? Would you rather want good health, or would you rather have good health? “Want” equates with deprivation, so avoid putting the feeling of lack in your goal or choice statements.  Would you rather try to spend more time with your spouse, or would you rather do it? The word try does not commit you to taking action.

EXAMPLE

What are your top three priorities for the coming year?  What’s most important to you?

1. I am enjoying vibrant health.

2. I am nurturing my most important relationships.

3. I have doubled my income by developing passive income streams.

What will support you in achieving your priorities in the coming year?

1. Weekly planning to reserve time for important and not urgent activities. Review my Master Plan as part of my weekly planning process to keep my focus on the big picture.

2. Work with my therapist and coach on personal issues that affect my relationships with those I care most about.

3. Work steadily on areas identified for generating passive income – 30 minutes daily.

What will it cost you to not follow through with your intentions?

• Health goals:  Weight gain, long-term heart health issues, self-esteem, energy, chronic pain.
• Relationship goals:  Disconnection from those I care most about
• Passive income goals:  Working more hours for less income, less $ for retirement savings, less $ for charitable donations

What requests will you make of family and friends who can support your efforts?

• Health:  Family support with weekly meal planning, encouragement without lecturing or judging.
• Relationship:  Ask for positive feedback about changes I am working on in my interactions with them.
• Passive income: Acknowledgment and encouragement for my efforts and successes.

What other support will you ask for in order to achieve what you choose?

• Delegate more to my assistant.
• Identify what my computer consultant can automate on my website and have him set it up.
• Identify what else I can delegate, who I can delegate to, and then do it!

Write down the results you expect in each of the following areas – in specific and measurable terms. After listing the choices or intentions, identify the action steps (specific and measurable, when possible) to achieve the results you’ve identified.  In other words, what do you choose to consistently do in order to achieve your expectations in each of these areas? 

HEALTH & WELLNESS

• Diet & Nutrition
  • Choices:
    • Maintain a balanced diet
    • Weigh 135 by June 1
    • Body fat composition of 18% by November 1
  • Actions:
    • Weekly meal planning with low-fat, high fiber, high protein diet
    • Purchase only what is on the grocery list when shopping
    • Select healthy choices when dining out
    • Wait 12 minutes before getting a second portion of anything
    • Eat only when hungry
    • Take vitamins daily
    • Drink at least 64 ounces of water or herbal tea daily
• Exercise
• Relaxation & Self-Nurture
• Recreation & Play

Using the Choices/Actions format above, do the same for the rest of the areas above and below. Although the sub-categories suggested may be different for you, the sample below will help you identify areas of importance.  Customize this to fit your life and priorities.

RELATIONSHIPS

• Family
• Friends
• Support Community
• Clients & Prospects
• Church Family
• Pets

PROSPERITY

• Income
• Expenditures
• Savings
• Contributions
• Travel for pleasure

PERSONAL GROWTH

• Mental Health
• Learning
• Spiritual

LIFEWORK 

Use sub-categories for this section and really drill down to plan your year for your work life.  Here’s an example of my professional sub-categories:

• Life Architect
• Writer
• Trainer
• Administrator
• Marketer
• Lifelong learner

COMMUNITY SERVICE

• Volunteer
• Global
• Environmental

Click here to access my free report, 7 Strategies to Overcome Overwhelm. >>

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