Tips for creating the New Year you desire

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Levya Braman, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.

If you would like to create a New Year that is more in line with what you had in mind for your life, one in which you feel more happy, fulfilled, or purposeful, then I have some tips to help you create the new Year you desire. All of these tips overlap with each other as you will soon see.

1. Take some time to get quiet and centered.
This step is so vital yet missed by many. You are the only one who really knows what will make you happy. Go within and ask yourself such questions as:

• What’s really important to me at this stage in my life?
• Where should I be focusing my time and energy?
• What accomplishments/goals will fulfill me?
  Only when you achieve goals that are truly meaningful to you will you have the feelings you are hoping for, feelings of pride, making a difference, and feeling like you’re doing what you are meant to do.

Too often I see people attempting to live someone else’s dreams only to achieve them yet still feeling empty inside. They thought their achievement would be coupled with feelings of elation, success and fulfillment, but all of those desired feelings escape them. Make sure the dreams you are pursuing are yours!

2. Set up some accountability for yourself.
Often we are great at keeping our word to others, yet lousy at keeping our word to ourselves. We tell ourselves that we will do what it takes to make the desired changes in our lives, yet we think that no one will know if we don’t get it done. We make clever excuses which we believe to be true, here are two that are used a lot:

• I don’t have the time right now; I’m too busy
• I have to get something done for someone else first

You will find that if you verbalize your goal and actions steps to someone else you are much more apt to follow through with those actions. If you have a non-judgmental friend who can remind you and gently hold you accountable that’s great; if not, then I’d suggest using a coach.

3. Choose to become a ‘doer’ – someone who takes action!
How many times have you heard others talk a big talk yet fail to take any actions? They keep talking about what they’re going to do, but never seem to get around to doing it.

Learn to recognize the excuses you use most often and catch yourself when you hear one coming from your mouth. If you don’t take the actions you need to then you won’t achieve the results you want.

Personal integrity is what this comes down to. Will you keep your word to yourself? Will you do what you say you are going to do? Do your actions and words align?

4. Have some support or cheerleaders who will encourage and celebrate even the smallest victories with you.

There is no need to try and reach your goal all by yourself. In fact, it’s kind of insane to attempt it. Sure you may be the one doing the actual work, but knowing that you have someone on your side, someone who will acknowledge your success with you is vital.

When you look at world-class athletes, none of them set out to break records without having at least one coach helping them along the way. A coach can mean the difference between reaching your goal vs. quitting due to discouragement.

My hope is that these tips do help you create the New Year you desire. This is such an excellent time to get clear and to take action to becoming the person you know you can be.