18 Ways to Have the Best Year Ever – Part 1

New year’s resolutions, goals and dreams for the new year, ordering my life, things and possessions, new start in the new year, keeping my new year’s resolutions…we go through the same routines every New Year – have you made any progress and been successful with your ideas, dreams and goals each year? Some years, yes, and some years not so much .

This article has made a difference in my approach and enabled me to have successful resolutions for the new year.

Read the list to make your life more alive, more connected, more organized and more true to your goals. This 8 part series will continue for the next 7 days, so check back for each part!

18 Ways to…Have the Best Year Ever
Get what you’ve always wanted in life

By Chrystle Fiedler
Want to make 2011 a great year? It’s easier than you think. “People can make changes in their lives by focusing on what they really want and taking steps to make it happen,” says Jinny Ditzler, author of Your Best Year Yet!
Use these tips from top experts around the country to make positive changes, improve your health and relationships, and make this your best year ever!

Accomplish More This Year

1. First, review 2010.
In order to set powerful goals, you need to review what’s happened so far. “Your accomplishments are the best and most authentic reminder that you can create your own future and become the master of your own destiny,” says Ditzler.
“Write down what you were able to accomplish in 2010, no matter how small, then realize that you are capable of taking active steps now to improve your life.”
Also ask yourself, “What were my biggest disappointments and what did I learn?” If you don’t learn from the past, you’ll repeat it.

2. Be specific.
Powerful goals are simple, clear instructions. Make your goal specific, e.g., “Find out exactly what I need to do for a promotion and a five percent pay raise and then do it.”
Give yourself a time frame, say by the end of the year. “Specific goals can take you where you want to go,” says Ditzler.
“You know where the bull’s-eye is and have a great chance of hitting it.”

3. Instead of resolutions, write a list of dreams.
“To live a joyful life ask yourself, ‘What matters to me?’ and ‘What am I willing to do about it?’” says Marcia Wieder, author of Making Your Dreams Come True.
Write down your dreams for every area of your life, including personal, relationships, professional, health, community, spiritual, financial and fun.
Pick one to focus on first. Then ask yourself, “What would I do if I knew I could not fail?” suggests Jennifer Louden, author of The Comfort Queen’s Guide to Life.
“It’s a wonderful way to kick off the process of figuring out what you really want in your life.”

Continue to part 2!