Are you ready to leap into the New Year? Here’s how!

Last week I got together with my friend and fellow speaker, Mike Rayburn, to do some planning and goal setting for the New Year. We had a very productive two day session, discussing all aspects of business, as well as our families, fitness, and spiritual journeys. We really pushed each other to “Go for the Bold.” In other words, it isn’t enough to set safe, predictable, or easily achievable objectives. If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right … and BIG.

So, you could say we “Super Sized” our goals, to the point that they were exciting, challenging, and even a bit intimidating. Then, to confirm our commitment, we shot the video you see above. It was a lot of fun to do. But also (as strange as this may sound) it made our goals and previous discussions seem more real and more achievable.

As you get ready to “Leap” into 2012, and as you envision the kind of year you want to make it, here are some ideas to keep in mind.

Into Action

1. Set goals that stretch you. Don’t stick with what is comfortable or seek to simply replicate your past success. Envision and commit to a new plan – one that makes you a bit uncomfortable and would make you ecstatic to achieve.
2. Consider all aspects of life. Think through your objectives and goals in all five of your life spheres: Work, Relationships, Health, Spiritual Growth, and Personal Interests. Develop a plan of action that will challenge you to grow multi-dimensionally, not simply in one or two areas.
3. Plan with a partner. Whether you do this with a friend, your spouse, or a business associate, having someone to hold you accountable will make a tremendous difference for both the planning process and (more importantly) the follow through effort. Choose someone who will support you, and you will support, to make sure you stay on track for success.
4. Commit, Commit Commit! You don’t have to jump off a roof into a freezing pool (in fact, in the way of a disclaimer, let me plainly state you should NOT do this. Mike and I are trained professionals with a vague idea of what we are doing.) But I KNOW there is something you can do (safely) to boldly punctuate your pact. Take action to celebrate your commitment and launch the year with excitement.

I look forward to continuing to be your friend and encourager in 2012 … and beyond!

Happy New Year!

Dan

At the start of each year, we dive again into the unknown, recommitted to make positive improvements to some, or several aspects of our lives. Perhaps this idea of a “fresh start” provides new hope and energy. That’s fantastic! But it’s not enough. It will take a sustained commitment and a coordinated plan to be successful.

I have created a seven minute video that will help you as you plan your year. It will give you a different way to approach the the personal and professional changes you want to make. It will also help you to develop a wider view of the various aspects of your life, and see how they are all connected.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XMV0-oM–o[/youtube]

After you watch this video, you will have a different perspective of the changes you are contemplating. And you’ll be ready to take action.

Into Action

This year, take these steps to ensure that your ambitions become accomplishments and that your desires turn into “done deals.”

1. Consider how you want to grow in each of the five spheres of life – Work, Relationships, Health, Spiritual Growth, and Personal Interests. Capture these thoughts on paper, or in a computer file. When you write down your desires, you make them real, tangible and far more powerful. This step is extremely important.
2. Look for supportive connections between your goals and desires. What lifelines will be strengthened or enhanced as you pursue and realize your goals? Which goals complement one another?
3. Minimize the negative impact of changes. In what ways might your goals challenge your spheres and lifelines? Even a desire to make a positive change can have unintended, undesirable ramifications. As you go “off balance” in pursuit of a goal, what other areas of your life may be neglected or compromised? How can you minimize these negative consequences by engaging the support and connections of your life pattern?
4. Go for incremental progress instead of the end result. You can’t accomplish all your goals at once. Start with the one that will have the most significant overall benefit to your five spheres. Then take the first step toward improvement. Before long, your progress will create momentum to help you continue the journey.

Life will never be perfectly balanced, but it can be Off Balance On Purpose. That means you can make the choices to initiate the changes and challenges that will bring about your positive transformation. Along the way, please consider me as a resource and partner.

Keep leaning forward!

Dan