As 2013 draws to a close, it is a perfect time to reflect on the year that has been. Has the year brought you the level of happiness and fulfilment that you expected? Have you managed to ‘tick off’ those New Year’s Resolutions you made on January 1st 2013? Did you manage to help someone else achieve their dreams this year?
Or are you no closer to your dreams than you were 12 months ago? Consider what is standing in your way of your fulfilment and satisfaction.
Last month we spoke about the 4 levels of Thinking & Experience, and that the quality of your life is determined by the number of Level 1 experiences you can have – and that the only way to gather up Level 1 Experiences is to embrace and take on Level 2 Experiences. That is, doing things that don’t feel good, but are good for you, are good for others, and are good for the greater good. So as you reflect on the year 2013, how many Level 2 experiences have you managed clock up? If you are like 80% of the global population, it would not be many at all. But that is okay, because you now have the opportunity to change that as we head into 2014.
Before we start thinking about 2014, let’s look at the year that has been – 2013. What were the highlights for you in 2013 that has made this year the most extraordinary year? What has happened with your health, your wealth, your career, your business, your family and your relationships that has made this year your best year yet? Have you achieved something this year that you never thought possible? Have you managed to take your most intimate relationship to an entirely new level that you never knew existed? Did you take that overseas holiday that you had been dreaming of and planning for a number of years? Whatever it is, now is a perfect time to sit back and reflect on what you have achieved this year. In fact it reminds me of a beautiful quote made by be immortal Dr Seuss –
“Oh the things you can find if you don’t stay behind! In the places I go there are things that I see that I never could spell if I stopped with the Z. I’m telling you this ‘cause you’re one of my friends. My alphabet starts where your alphabet ends! So, beyond Z! It’s high time you were shown that you really don’t know all there is to be known”
As we start thinking about 2014, it is important to recap that success leaves clues. In fact there are 5 key principles to success:
- Know your outcome – what is it that you aiming for?
- Take action – actually it is take ‘massive’ action
- Have sensory acuity – are you on track?
- Have behavioural flexibility – if something is not working, be flexible to alter it to suit
- Always operate from a physiology and psychology of excellence – a mindset of excellence
All successful people, either consciously or unconsciously operate according to the above 5 success principles. They are also experts in what I call the “Be/Do/Have” model or as some people call the “Start/Maintain/Finish” model. The people who achieve their dreams are experts in not only starting something; they are also experts in Maintaining – doing what is required in order to deliver a positive and outstanding result. And they are certainly experts in Finishing, closing off the deals that need to be done, completing the projects that deliver a successful outcome, or finishing off those relationships which will not deliver a positive outcome.
So in order to start planning for 2014, it is time to look back on some of the ecstatic moments of 2013 – What activity were you doing? Who were you with? What emotions were present? What actions did you take to make it happen? What did you learn? And importantly, what did you let go of? This is a really important point, because again, in the words of Dr Seuss : “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind” Take some time to reflect and write down some of the things that you achieved this year that you are really proud of. And acknowledge yourself for achieving these.
Now it is time to start planning for 2014, and making 2014 Your Best Year Yet! In order for 2014 to be your best year yet, there are a number of areas that need to be considered as part of your plan, including:
- Health
- Personal Relationship
- Family
- Friends
- Business
- Financial
- Hobb ies
- Toys
- Travel
Take a blank piece of paper out and start writing your goals out for each of the 9 areas above, starting as follows:
“It is December 31st, 2014 and I have had the BEST Year of My Life. Here’s what happened…..”
And start describing everything you have managed to achieve during 2014, exactly as you want it. You may wish to use the following as starting points:
- I have…..
- I am……
- I feel….
- I have shown…..
- I have learned……
- I have experienced…….
The next key to achieving your best year yet is to break the year up into 90 day chunks. For a number of people it is difficult to focus on a goal that may take 12 months to achieve – by breaking it down into 90 day chunks it is something you can focus on and control in the short term. Remember this; you are only 90 days away from completely changing your entire world!
The final key on ensuring that 2014 is Your Best Year Yet is the Action Steps, briefly mentioned above under “Start/Maintain/Finish”:
Start – What do you need to start doing right now in order to create your ideal year? What books, CD’s, DVD’s, Programs, Courses etc do you need to start? What do you need to start eating as part of a healthy diet? What level of exercise do you need to start? What marketing for your business do you need to start doing? Who do you need to engage with? What relationships do you need to increase your investment and focus in?
Maintain – What relationships do you need to maintain and continue to grow? What conversations and activities do you need to maintain with family? What health strategy do you need to maintain? What routines do you need to maintain? What business activities do you need to have in place? And what business systems need to be in place?
Finish – What areas of your life do you need to stop? For example, in the home – in the kitchen, clean out food that hasn’t been used, bring out the good plates and cutlery that you normally only use for ‘special occasions’, in the bathroom clean out old soaps and sponges, in the bedroom, clean out the wardrobe of clothes that you haven’t worn for over 12 months, if you have jewellery that you haven’t worn for over 12 months, give it away or wear it! In your office, clean out everything from your ‘old identity’ and create new files for 2014 for your business.
If you follow the advice in this article, you will be sitting down on December 31, 2014, looking back on the year and reflecting on the most extraordinary year – your best year yet.
As you start to plan your 2014 – Your Best Year Yet, I would like to leave you with another beautiful quote from Dr Seuss:
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own, and you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where you go”.
Here is to making 2014 your best year yet!!
To your success
Darren