Get Ahead on 2021

This year has been an interesting one. Yes each year is pretty interesting, but this one we all can relate a little. No matter what pocket of the world you are in, this one felt a little different. Many of us, including myself are still feeling the affects. Don't worry though, I've been enjoying the ride and embracing the challenge. You can as well, even if plans didn't go as great as expected. However, you should't worry or beat yourself up, there is still time to take simple steps towards starting the new year right. No I'm not asking you to make any resolutions, but just hear me out.

Step 1: Set Goals

However cliche this may seem, I'm not suggesting you make a list of things you say you would like to do in the new year and then forget about them because life happens. Instead, be intentional and break them down. Starting with the great big goal(s). If your goal is to reach a goal revenue next year, do the math. You want to make $75,000, so $75,000 divided by 12 months is $6,250 a month. Now you know that you need to make at least $1,562.50 each week and at least $208 a day. If you want to land that big project, think about the steps that need to be taken each day that will put you in the best position to get it. It may be overstated at this point, but when we set long term goals we often underestimate what we are able to do and when we set short term goals, our optimism gets the best of us and we can't seem to get anywhere close. So look at all the angles and put them together to be realistic and strategic about the desired goals. Make long, long term goals, make one year goals, make monthly, weekly, and daily goals. You don't have to know where you are heading but a path must be made.

Step 2: Take Simple Steps

This doesn't mean do the absolute least and try to call it progress. By now, most of us are aware that nothing happens without action. So why do we expect anything for us to change if we aren't taking action? The answers wont find it here. This step has been the most crucial and provoking change for me. Each time that I think about the thing that I want to work towards or accomplish; I immediately take action. You don't have to go and knock out the whole project right away or go run the mile you keep telling yourself you'll do. Instead, focus on how to set yourself up for success. For example, if you want to take photos everyday, put your camera somewhere that you will see it each time you walk out the door. You want to run a mile everyday. Go ahead and set your shoes and running clothes out so you have one less thing to worry about when it comes time. This step could literally be as simple as carrying around sticky notes and when an idea about the goal comes up, you write it down, but make sure you put it somewhere to come back to. (Yes you could also use notes or an app on your phone, but it's not quite the same result when you physically spell it out. Still find what works for you.) Often times when we think of a goal or outcome, we don't consider the small steps when it is time to put it all together. A little action can go a long way. This immediate action will have your future self thanking you. Trust me!

Step 3: Find your Routine

Finding your routine is more than just making sure you knock off all the items on your to do list. It goes back to setting yourself up for success. Pay attention to when you are most productive in the day and what factors contribute to that. As you become more aware of how you operate throughout the day, week, month, and year you are able to be more effective with your time. One very important part of this is to honor and respect your time above everything else. If you do not hold yourself accountable to the time that you are committed to and end up running around on everyones clock but your own, things never seem to sync. This does require some experimentation but also patience. There must be enough time to see what results are achieved and the outcomes of the changes. If you know you have a good habit don't skip it, EVER. Sometimes you sleep in and don't get to write in the morning or do that exercise, but that doesn't mean that you don't do it that day. As soon as you allow yourself to stop, even just one time; it becomes so much easier to skip over it the next day, and the next day and before you know it you forgot that you even had a good habit going. This can be paired with taking simple actions. The whole task may not be able to get done but do something so your mind knows that you stayed committed. Even if it's the very end of the day, don't allow yourself to lack on something you know is beneficial.

Step 4: Find your Calm

Most of the time we have the answers to our problems. However, we are too caught up and distracted by everything else. Often time we look everywhere but inward. We never take the time to slow down and breathe. Taking that moment to pause and allow the breath to flow in and gently flow out as we follow the feeling in our bodies, our mind takes a break. These micro doses of pause, can allow you to look in areas you did not think of before, they can relieve stress you didn't know you were holding, they can also calm us at the moment. Personally, I meditate each morning and most afternoons, this sets me up to be more conscious and aware if overwhelm occurs in the day. If I find myself off track, I gently remind myself to step back and breathe. For you it could be something that takes up to an hour or even just a 5 second mantra to remind yourself.

Bonus Steps

Get Rid of Expectations,. This allows you to be more open minded when faced with something. This reduces chances of disappointment and let down. Don't take this as become lazy and just move through the day sloppily, you should hold yourself accountable still and gradually build your confidence.

Have Positive Self Talk. Often times ask people; who do they think they talk to the most. While they sit and think about the answer it should become obvious as they are sifting through their own mind. You are the person you spend the most time talking to. So make sure you know how to approach yourself in a positive way, even when things aren't so great.

Reduce your mobile device screen time. (Highly Recommended) It is hard to believe that every notification and vibration is so pressing that we have to stay glued to the screen. Set boundaries and find a way to catch yourself as you are beginning to slip into the never ending rabbit hole. It will always be there, so don't let it consume you.

Lastly, I would like to challenge you...

Create & Share.

Create and share whatever you would like. Great things come to those that give in generous ways. When you share something that you enjoy, love and have a passion for, more times than not you'll be surprised how well received it is, oh well if you don't think it's perfect. Warning, this may cause discomfort, but it is only temporary and we can transform beyond that. Not that it will forever go away, but fearful moments turn into exciting memories of overcoming challenges. How many people really achieved the things they desired by always staying comfortable? (Probably very few.) So take that leap into the cold water, find your calm, be you and share it.

Of course all of these are optional and just personal suggestions. The way I see it, whatever you're going through and growing towards, you have to take a journey. You don't always know the route or if there even is one. So find the discipline to create the journey you want to look back upon as grateful and proud of. Each day is another opportunity to make that path and I'd rather do it and fail, rather than look back and only imagine what it would have been like.

Keep creating and don't forget to share! I look forward seeing you on the other side!