Welcome to 2015! Today is the first full week back in high gear since the holidays. Many of us are gung-ho about 2015 and all our goals and resolutions. Sad reality is that by June at least 50% of us will have lost sight of those goals and steered off the resolution path.
These stats are not being provided to put a damper on your positive
outlook, but instead give you some tips on how to keep your mind clear and stay
on a strong path in 2015. This way, on June 1, instead of jumping off the band
wagon with some others, you can stay on for the rest of the year.
Below are 3 quick tips to staying on track in 2015:
1.
Set SMART Goals.
Smart goals are goals that are specific, measureable,
attainable, realistic and time bound. Don’t just say “I want a promotion in
2015.” Instead, state what you want to be promoted to and by what month and
year. For example, I want to be promoted to Director of XYZ by October 2015.
Note that this time frame is also realistic. If you want to be promoted by March
that might not give you enough time to actually deserve or achieve this position.
Then, in March, when you don’t get promoted you may find yourself getting
easily discouraged at work or that you have changed your positive attitude to
become more negative. So, be realistic in your goal setting. And, as you set
goals this year, also make sure that they are in line with your values, that you
are not setting them based upon “keeping up with the Jones’s,” and, that they
are goals YOU actually want to achieve, not what other people think you should
push for.
2.
Don’t Live in 2014.
This is the New Year. If you plan to live
in the previous year, than don’t call it the New Year quite yet. By staying
present and future focused, you focus on what you can control and create-unlike
those of us who might be living in the past. Use the past as a learning experience,
but not a place to dwell or ruminate on. Thinking about all the past woulda,
coulda and shouldas will defeat the purpose of your New Year, and increase your
stress in the present. Instead, channel your energy into moving you forward in
2015 instead of blasting you back into the past.
3.
Be Open to New Experiences.
Want more opportunity in 2015? Want more
happiness and fulfillment? Then take up new experiences. From small tasks, like
trying new restaurants and new foods, to creating new projects in your personal
or professional life, be open to new experiences. By taking up new experiences
you just never know what passions, opportunities or happiness you will
discover. As you take on new opportunities, acknowledge that you may feel some discomfort
because you will be stepping outside of your comfort zone for some of these
things. But, know that this discomfort is only temporary and by pushing beyond
your typical zone you will find new results in this New Year.
Dr. Jaime Kulaga is a Certified Life Coach, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Motivational Speaker. She is the author of the upcoming book "The SuperWoman's Guide to Super Fulfillment: Step-by-Step Strategies to Create Work-Life Balance," to be published in March 2015. She is the inspirational founder of the nationally known SuperWoman Workshops. Dr. Kulaga has been featured internationally for her expertise in Work-Life Balance. http://www.mindfulrehab.com
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