With the approach of a New Year, many people find themselves reflecting on the year that has passed. How do you feel about 2010? If you could summarize it in one or two words, what would they be? Did you accomplish or surpass the goals you set for yourself?
If you find yourself feeling a sense of disappointment when you think about what you wanted to accomplish this year versus what you did accomplish, take heart. You have the power to make the new year your year! However, it won't fall into your lap, so if you wait for it to come to you, bring some magazines and snacks because it's going to be a long, long time.
As you look back, you may find that it was a lack of focus, motivation or consistency that kept you from achieving your goals. If that's the case you will be relieved to know that you have the power to make the changes you seek - all you need are a few new tools in the toolbox that will help you build your future the way you want it to look!
To transform your life to the life you really want to live, you must first ask yourself "What do I want the end of 2011 to look like for me?"
The first step is to write down your goals as clearly and with as much detail as you can. It is a simple, but incredibly powerful tool to hand write - yes, hand write with pen to paper - what you want to accomplish! It's amazing how just this simple activity can open your eyes to opportunities that are in line with getting you where you want to be - opportunities you may not otherwise have seen!
Bring your vision to life!
Once you know clearly what you want, you must breathe life into it. After defining your goals, your next step is to create a vision board. Your vision board can be whatever you want it to be. A collection of pictures and words that paint a vivid picture of what you want. You may want to create it on a piece of Bristol board, using pictures and words cut out from magazines to illustrate you vision. Or, perhaps it's more your style to design it using your computer. The goal is to enjoy the process, and in the end you will have a vision board that fills you with excitement about where you will are headed! Be sure to keep it in a place where you see it every day, and it will help you to stay focused.
Anchor a positive emotional state to reinforce your passion and drive!
Looking back over your life, can you remember a time when you wanted something so much that it seemed to be the only thing you could think about, and how amazing you felt when you got it? The great news is that you can actually use this memory to help you achieve your future goals by anchoring that state of emotions!
Anchoring is simply a strategy you can use to quickly access those positive emotions again at your will. It's very easy to do, and a very effective way to stay motivated and focused!
Find a quiet place, and really go back in your mind to your most vivid memory of something you accomplished that made you feel fantastic. Close your eyes and re-live that memory in your mind. Really let it wash over you, as if you're actually there again. Remember how amazing you felt, like you were kicking the world in the butt. When you feel it, take a deep breath in, and as soon as you begin to exhale, snap your fingers, or decide ahead of time on a a sound you will hear or word you will see in your mind. Repeat this once or twice, then later (10 minutes), test it by performing your trigger (the snap, sound or word). This is how you will recall this powerful positive emotional state when you need it in the future! When you need to access that positive state, just perform your trigger! It's that easy!
Keep your goal in mind every day!
Visualize what you want, like it's already happened, at bedtime and in the morning before you get up. Set a timer for 5 minutes so you can get completely into this movie of your future! Play it in your head in great detail, feeling all the great feelings of accomplishment and stepping into that place where you've done it! This will leave you smiling, positive and invigorated! Remember, your mind doesn't know the imagined from reality except through the senses, so by visualizing your future success, you are bringing your reality closer and closer.
Now that you have these amazing new power tools, imagine how accomplished you will be looking back on 2011!
"Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing". Helen Keller
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