Your Best Year Ever! 5 Tips for making this a great year.

It's that time of year again! Out with the Old and in with the New! This is the time of year when we make - "resolutions." (Cue the dramatic music.) These resolutions can include anything and everything in a general effort to be a better you. We say we'll lose weight, get a better job, get married, you name it! And you're not alone! According to a study done by the University of Scranton, nearly half of all Americans include making a New Year's Resolution as a part of this annual celebration. The more telling statistic, however, is that less than ten percent of those who make resolutions are successful in achieving them.

Have you ever felt like you've got no traction? As if you have gotten to another "end" and you have nothing to show for it? That is probably how the other half feels - the 55% of people who rarely or never make New Year’s Resolutions. The pain and disappointment of not realizing a goal or falling short of one can be absolutely devastating! 

I don't generally catch “resolutionitus,” but I do see the beginning of a new year (and the beginning of a new month and week and day, for that matter) as an opportunity to start fresh and get something done that hasn’t been done yet. And despite the potentially devastating fall-out, starting is worth it. 

So here are some tips for making this year (or this day) your best ever:

1.     Set Goals
You may not be one to make New Year's Resolutions, but goal setting is a key to a happier, more successful you. You can't get where you want to go if you don't 1) decide your destination and 2) take actionable steps in the right direction. 

2.     Write It Down
Take a moment and write down your desires, aspirations and goals. Be specific. Then write some actions steps you could take to get started. Don't spend hours and hours trying to make this perfect, just get it out there. While it isn't magical, this one step will help tremendously as you strive to attain your goals.

3.     Schedule It
Schedule time to work on your goals. Michael Hyatt has said often, "What gets scheduled gets done." Get a calendar and set an appointment for that goal. Or set a reminder in your phone for a certain day and time. You may not be the "schedules and appointments" type, but don't overlook this! You will increase the likelihood of completing the task in front of you and moving closer to your goals if you schedule time to work on them.

4.     Share It
No, don't post it to Facebook and Twitter. While some of us are totally comfortable doing that, you probably want to be more selective in where you share your goals and who you share them with. Identify people who can add value to your life and encourage you toward your goals and share with them. Part of the benefit of this is that those who have your best interests in mind can help you course correct before you miss your goals. And, you won’t have to live down harsh criticism if you miss your goals.

5.     Be Persistent
Whatever you do, don’t stop pressing forward. Keep going. Don’t give up!
Yes, you will have rough days and sometimes they will turn into rough weeks, but don’t allow those hindrances to derail your future. Take a breath and then take another step. Be persistent.

You are more likely to Start, Follow-through, and finish your goals if you adopt these five tips in your normal routine.

Question: Did you use any of these tips to set goals for the New Year?