Hello 2017! We’re now a few weeks into this year. How are your goals coming? Have you continued your excited resolution?
When you get to be my age, a year starts to take on a different meaning. It’s both smaller than it used to be and grander at the same time. And with a lifetime of resolutions behind me, I have some thoughts on how to start the year off with intentionality that will carry you through to the finish.
Here are the Five Ws and an H on how to focus on what matters as you set a resolution in 2017:
1. Who do you want to be at the end of this year?
So often when it comes to New Year Resolutions, we choose really small goals. And honestly, most often they’re about weight loss or journaling!
But what if instead of looking at this year in terms of small lifestyle changes, we viewed 2017 in terms of lifelong goals? If losing 20 pounds is something you want to do this year, try instead to think of how that weight loss fits into a grander scheme of who you are. If you tap into something truly motivating, like instilling character into who you are, you will be much more likely to achieve that lifelong goal.
2. What do you want to accomplish in 2017?
Once you’ve figured out how you want to be changed at the end of the year (more creative, more social, etc), you can start setting specific goals to achieve this bigger picture. Example: If at the end of 2017 you want to be able to describe yourself as more creative, buy a subscription to an art class or art museum. Then find some friends with similar passions to hang out with and stimulate your creativity!
When you see your goal, start finding the steps that help you get there.
3. When is this all going to happen? (Hint: It’s not overnight.)
Once you’ve got the who and what, it’s time to see when your steps will happen. If you want to be able to call yourself actively creative by the end of the year, determine how to break up the time to reach the goal. Try to start incorporating your goals into a weekly time frame–without beating yourself up for failing to keep up!
If your resolution becomes a source of stress, it’s time to reframe how you’re going about things. Instead make sure that your steps are enjoyable and achievable.
4. Where do you want to be January 2018?
Make sure to take a look at where you are in life. If you’ve been talking about leaving town but never taken the steps to do so, then get yourself moving this year! Or if you are in a community that doesn’t support the person you want to become, find a community that does! See where you want to be and who you want to be around and start moving in that direction.
5. Why do you want to achieve all this?
This W is foundational for all of the rest to work. Doing something without living out the why is difficult. If there’s no solid reason behind your action, you’ll never be able to keep it up long term. But if an action has purpose and meaning, then it has a chance to survive in your lifestyle.
If you want to start a new business but aren’t passionate about running businesses or what the business is, chances are you’ll run out of steam pretty quickly. So make sure all your resolutions have purpose behind them. Figure out your why.
6. How do you plan to be a force of good this year?
As you’ve probably noticed by now, changing the world for the better is really important to me. And so I ask you: how will you be a force of good? It’s one thing to set goals every year for how you want to change. But how awesome would it be if we all also set goals for how we want to change the world?
Maybe you want to start doing random acts of kindness on a regular basis, or start financially supporting an endeavor you’re passionate about. Or maybe you want to start volunteering regular hours at a homeless shelter or feeding program. There are so many options. But change starts at a small level. So if you turn around and start being a small force of good, and others see you and do the same–think of how much better this world could be!
I hope you are inspired to tackle 2017 with sincerity! May this year be a meaningful one for you.
Let me know your resolutions and who you want to be at the end of 2017 in the comment section below!
Consider joining us for the 2017 Wealthbuilders Conference February 3rd-5th! This conference is designed to inspire, equip, and encourage you to succeed in business & in life. It’s a great jumpstart for 2017! Get tickets HERE.
