Setting New Year's Goals that actually Work!

I have a goal for 2011 that involves all of YOU.

I want 2011 to be a Breakthrough Year, not just for myself but for everyone who reads this blog, connects with me through my writing or in person as a client, a cooking class participant, a 30-Day Detoxer, a Total Body Transformer, or even as a friend or just an anonymous blog reader. I want us all to get healthier, get fitter, get happier, get more in touch with our intuition, our goals, our dreams and generally just MOVE UP from our current positions.

How does that sound? Anyone coming with me?

To that end, I have a little gift for you. I have uploaded a new document to the Free Handouts section of the website. It is called The Clean Sweep Exercise and I did not create it, but I DO use it. This is a great exercise to do right now, as the old year winds down and the new year starts up. The Clean Sweep will take you step-by-step through each area of your life, examining in detail where you still have some work to do.

This is your first step to creating Your Plan for 2011. What? A Plan? As in designing one’s own life rather than just letting life happen and trying to keep up? Yes! This is the difference between “I’d really like to lose some weight this year” and “I am reaching my health and fitness goals by following these steps.” Vague goals bring you vague results. Clear goals and a plan to achieve them, lead to actual achievement.

Here is how to set goals that you will actually achieve this year:

1. Download the Clean Sweep form and decide on which areas you’d like to work on in 2011. You can find it here: Clean Sweep but don’t click it until you read the rest of this post!

2. Choose specific measurable goals.

3. Break your bigger goals down into smaller steps you’ll need to take to achieve the larger goal:

a. One year goals – where do you want to be this time next year?

b. 12-week goals – this is the equivalent of one season and a good shorter-term goal range

c. Weekly goals – breaking it down into smaller and more manageable chunks

d. Daily goals – how will you get there, step by step, day by day.

Write your goals and deadlines in your daily calendar. Write your goals in ink and your deadlines in pencil as you will want the freedom to adjust based on your results.

4. Tell people! Use the accountability factor of telling people about your goals. It really works!

Here goes: I am running and finishing the Tel Aviv Half Marathon on April 8, 2011. I have an additional goal of finishing it in under 2 hours and 15 minutes and am working out my training schedule to that end result.

5. Embark upon a campaign Mental Training

a. Mental Training should be scheduled just like physical training. Commit to a specific time every morning right after you wake up or every evening before you go to sleep. Use this time to review your goals, to dream about your goals or even to re-write them over and over again. I have had clients tell me this one technique completely transformed their lives!

b. Write your goals on note cards and read them every chance you get.

c. Flood your brain with positive images, words, sounds, inspiration and feelings.

d. Make a collage or vision board describing your desired outcomes.

e. Listen to inspiring podcasts, read inspiring books, and hang around inspirational people!

6. Get Support. It’s hard to go it alone. If you’ve had the same goals for year after year and you never achieve them, maybe it’s time to hire some professional help?

Nobody ever climbed Everest alone…

“your mountain is waiting so get on your way” - Dr Seuss